Russia develops technology to help send humans to Mars in just 1 month

Accordingly, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom, has developed a new spacecraft engine with impressive specifications, far exceeding the capabilities of traditional chemical rocket engines. This engine can generate a thrust of at least 6 N and a specific impulse of at least 100 km/s.

Russia develops technology to help send humans to Mars in just 1 month Picture 1

Plasma engine prototype developed by Russian scientists.

Based on magnetic plasma accelerator technology, this propulsion system has the potential to significantly reduce travel times between planets, with the ability to send humans to Mars in just 1 to 2 months.

Alexey Voronov, deputy director general for science at Rosatom, said: 'Currently, a flight to Mars using a conventional engine can take almost a year, which is very dangerous for astronauts due to cosmic radiation. Using a plasma engine could shorten the mission duration to 30-60 days, allowing astronauts to go to Mars and return safely.'

Plasma engines work on a different principle than conventional rockets. Researcher Egor Biriulin explains that the engine is an electric propulsion system with two electrodes. When charged particles move between them and a high voltage is applied, the current creates a magnetic field, which pushes the particles out of the engine and creates thrust. With an output power of about 300 kW, the new plasma engine can accelerate charged particles – electrons and protons – to speeds of 100 km/s, far exceeding the maximum speed of about 4.5 km/s of conventional power units.

Russia develops technology to help send humans to Mars in just 1 month Picture 2

The travel time from Earth to Mars is currently about 1 year.

Rosatom will test the technology on a large-scale test stand in Troitsk, the main device of which is a vacuum chamber 4 meters in diameter and 14 meters long. The device will be equipped with high-performance vacuum pumping and heat removal systems, allowing it to simulate the conditions of deep space.

One of the main advantages of the new engine is its energy efficiency. Biriulin says the plasma doesn't need to be heated as much, which helps keep the engine's components from overheating. The engine is also capable of converting almost all of its electrical energy into motion.

While plasma engines will not completely replace chemical rockets in the initial stages of launch, they will play an important role once spacecraft reach orbit. The technology could be used in the future to transport cargo between planets.

Russia develops technology to help send humans to Mars in just 1 month Picture 3

It should be noted, however, that the engine is still in the prototype stage and there is much development work to be done before Rosatom can use it in manned space missions. Although the team has conducted more than 2,400 hours of testing, assessing the engine's capabilities will take time as it has not been tested in space-like conditions for a long time.

The development of this plasma engine is part of Rosatom's larger initiative to advance space exploration technology, which includes the development of nuclear power plants for various space applications and automated control systems for spacecraft.

Lesley Montoya

Update 18 February 2025