Russia Tests Plasma Engine to Slash Mars Trip to 30 Days

Russian scientists have built and tested a prototype plasma rocket engine that could shorten the trip to Mars from nearly a year to just 30 to 60 days. The work comes from researchers at Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, at their institute in Troitsk outside Moscow. They aim to make space travel safer by cutting time in deep space where radiation risks are high. The engine runs on hydrogen gas turned into plasma, accelerated by electric and magnetic fields.

Background

Space agencies around the world have long eyed Mars as the next big step after the Moon. But the long trip there remains a problem. Current chemical rockets take six to nine months one way, leaving astronauts open to cosmic rays and other dangers for too long. Russia has worked on advanced engines for years to fix this. Rosatom, which handles nuclear tech, joined the effort with its plasma project. The idea builds on electric propulsion systems already in use, like ion thrusters on some satellites. Those give steady but low push over time. This new plasma engine steps it up with higher power and speed. It uses a magnetic plasma accelerator, a setup where charged particles zip between electrodes under high voltage. A current forms a magnetic field that shoots the particles out the back at up to 100 kilometers per second. That's over 20 times faster than the hot gases from chemical rockets, which top out around 4.5 km/s. Hydrogen serves as the fuel because it's light and easy to speed up. The engine does not burn it like a regular rocket. Instead, it ionizes the gas into plasma—electrons and protons stripped apart—and flings them away. This gives high efficiency, meaning less fuel for the same distance. Rosatom says the prototype marks a key step after years of design work. They built it in their labs and now plan full tests in a big vacuum chamber to mimic space.

Key Details

The prototype produces about 6 Newtons of thrust, not much compared to launch rockets that need thousands. But it shines in long hauls. Running in pulse mode, it averages 300 kilowatts of power. That lets a spacecraft build speed gradually to very high levels. Launch would still use chemical rockets to reach orbit. Then, a nuclear reactor onboard would power the plasma engine for the cruise to Mars. Rosatom is putting together a test stand with a 14-meter-long, 4-meter-wide vacuum chamber. It will check how the engine holds up in space-like vacuum and heat.

Engine Operation

The heart of the system is simple in idea but tough to build. Hydrogen gas flows between two electrodes. High voltage ionizes it into plasma. The electric current makes a magnetic field that confines and pushes the plasma out. No need for a nozzle like in chemical engines, which cuts weight and heat issues. Particles hit 100 km/s exhaust speed, giving a specific impulse around 10,000 seconds—far better than the 450 seconds of chemical fuels. This means a spacecraft could carry less propellant and go farther.

"Currently, a flight to Mars using conventional engines can take almost a year one way, which is dangerous for astronauts due to cosmic radiation and exposure to radiation. Using plasma engines can shorten the mission to 30-60 days, meaning it will be possible to send an astronaut to Mars and back." – Alexey Voronov, first deputy director general for science at the Rosatom Research Institute in Troitsk

Researchers plan a flight-ready version by 2030. That matches other nations' timelines for Mars missions. The project needs to solve power supply—likely a compact nuclear reactor—and handle heat from the plasma. Ground tests will measure thrust, efficiency, and wear over many pulses.

What This Means

A 30-day Mars trip changes the math for human missions. Less time in space means lower radiation doses, easier life support, and shorter overall trips. A round trip could fit in under four months, down from two to three years. This opens doors to regular flights, cargo runs, and even bases on Mars. Russia positions itself as a player in deep space with nuclear tech know-how. Other countries watch closely. NASA tests similar electric drives, but chemical rockets still rule crewed plans. If Rosatom's engine works, it could pair with Starship or other vehicles for hybrid trips. Challenges remain: building reliable space nukes, verifying performance in peer reviews, and scaling up. No independent tests have happened yet, and full integration with spacecraft takes time. Still, the prototype shows progress. Success might spark more investment in electric propulsion worldwide. For now, the team focuses on vacuum tests to prove the design. By 2030, a demo flight could test it in orbit. Mars feels closer with each step like this.