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Sign in to searchNASA Successfully Tests its Plasma Engine
NASA recently announced successful testing of a lithium-based Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The latest results, released in May 2026, represent a major advancement in electric propulsion technology for future deep-space missions, especially human missions to Mars.
A plasma engine, or electric propulsion system, works by ionising a propellant such as xenon or lithium and converting it into plasma. Powerful magnetic and electric fields then accelerate this plasma to extremely high spee
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NASA's 120-kilowatt plasma engine breakthrough uses lithium propellant to reduce Mars travel time from 7-9 months to 30-45 days, advancing deep-space exploration technology.
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