NASA Fires Up Record-Breaking Plasma Thruster for Future Mars Missions

NASA and JPL tested a lithium-based magnetoplasmadynamic plasma thruster at up to 120 kilowatts in a vacuum chamber.

The run set a U.S. power record for this type of electric propulsion.

The result moves high-power propulsion closer to future human missions to Mars and deeper space.

If developed further, the technology could cut fuel needs and improve travel efficiency for long-duration missions.