Russia is quietly testing a new plasma propulsion system that, if it works as claimed, could dramatically change the time it takes to travel to Mars. Early results suggest a leap in speed and efficiency that has attracted attention precisely because it’s not coming from NASA or private US companies like SpaceX.
The engine is being developed by the Troitsk Institute, part of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. According to researchers involved in the program, the system could reduce interplanetary travel time from several months to about one to two months. Ground tests are currently underway, and developers say the technology could be ready for deployment in space by around 2030.
A different approach to space propulsion
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Unlike conventional chemical rockets, the new system relies on electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged hydrogen particles. That puts it firmly in the category of electric or plasma propulsion, a field that has gained increasing attention as space agencies look for more efficient ways to travel deeper into the solar system.
Chemical rockets provide very high thrust for a short period of time, which is ideal for launching from Earth. However, they are ineffective for long-distance travel once a spacecraft is in orbit. Plasma engines, on the other hand, generate much less thrust, but can operate continuously for long periods of time, gradually increasing to extremely high speeds while using much less propellant.
If the Russian system achieves its projected performance, it could have a major impact on how future missions to Mars and beyond are planned, both for scientific exploration and potential military or logistical applications.
Test conditions and early performance claims
The prototype engine is currently being tested inside a 14-meter-long vacuum chamber designed to simulate the conditions of space. According to technical details reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia, the engine operates at a power level of 300 kilowatts in periodic pulsed mode and has already demonstrated a lifetime of 2,400 hours. This duration would be sufficient for a complete mission to Mars, including the acceleration and deceleration phases.
The researchers say the engine accelerates charged hydrogen particles, including protons and electrons, to speeds of up to 100 kilometers per second. By comparison, traditional chemical missiles typically achieve escape velocities of about 4.5 kilometers per second. This massive difference in exhaust velocity is key to the engine’s efficiency and potential speed.
How the system would be used in space
The plasma engine is not intended to launch directly from the Earth’s surface. A conventional chemical rocket would first carry the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once in space, the plasma engine would be activated to provide continuous thrust for deep space travel.
Officials involved in the project also note that the system could function as a space tug, moving cargo, modules or satellites between different planetary orbits. This concept aligns with the broader international interest in reusable orbital transportation systems.
Nuclear power and engineering challenges
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The engine uses hydrogen as a propellant and relies on an on-board nuclear reactor to provide a steady supply of energy. According to project researcher Yegor Biryulin, hydrogen’s low atomic mass allows for faster acceleration while reducing fuel consumption. Its abundance in space could eventually allow in situ refueling, at least in theory.
The propulsion system uses two high voltage electrodes to create the directed plasma flow. The charged particles pass between them, forming a magnetic field that expels the plasma and generates thrust. This design avoids the need to heat the plasma to extreme temperatures, which reduces component wear and improves overall efficiency.
Rosatom’s documentation lists the design thrust at 6 newtons, which is high for a plasma propulsion prototype. Even so, the thrust remains much lower than chemical rockets, meaning the spacecraft would be designed for slow but continuous acceleration rather than short bursts of power.
Background and open questions
Plasma propulsion is already used in orbit on many satellites, including systems on the OneWeb spacecraft and on NASA’s Psyche mission launching in 2023. Most existing plasma engines operate at exhaust velocities between 30 and 50 kilometers per second. Russian claims of 100 kilometers per second would represent a significant step forward.
However, the technology remains unproven in space. The peer-reviewed scientific data has not yet been published, and the design of the nuclear reactor has not been revealed. Nuclear-powered spacecraft raise complex safety, regulatory and international approval issues, particularly during launch.
While the concept is promising, the engine is still several years away from practical use. Its projected readiness by 2030 will depend on continued testing, funding, and the successful resolution of engineering and regulatory challenges.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission from Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and revision.