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NASA is making a powerful new ion engine to send astronauts to Mars

A prototype ion engine that uses lithium vapor as a propellant has aced its first tests, achieving 25 times more power than ...
New Atlas

NASA's mega ion engine clears a fiery test on the road to Mars

The first human Mars explorers won’t have it easy. Every additional day in deep space will increase their exposure to deadly ...
Newser on MSN

NASA tests new, super powerful engine

NASA just nudged its Mars ambitions forward with a lab test of a new ion engine that vastly outmuscles anything it's flown ...
Hosted on MSN

NASA tests record-breaking ion engine for future Mars missions

Record power levels: NASA’s experimental MPD thruster achieved 120 kW in tests, the highest electric propulsion power level ever reached in the U.S. Mars mission potential: The lithium-fed engine ...

NASA tests lithium thruster: Milestone for manned Mars missions?

NASA has successfully tested a magnetoplasmadynamic thruster with lithium propellant. The technology is considered key for ...
NextBigFuture

Four Times the Ion Drive Thrust With 20+KW Nuclear Reactor for 2028 NASA Mars Mission

The NASA planned 2028 nuclear powered ion drive spacecraft, SR-1 Freedom will have a 20 kilowatt nuclear reactor. SR-1 Freedom will use 20-plus kilowatt fission reactor fueled by High-Assay ...