Russia has created a plasma rocket engine for space flights

Russian scientists have developed a prototype of a plasma rocket engine that will make it possible to travel between planets and visit Mars. "Izvestia" on February 8 told how the technology works.

"The power of the prototype plasma engine is 300 kilowatts. Only a few times more than that of a conventional electric car. But it is enough for a manned vehicle to fly to Mars and return to Earth. The system will be tested in a special chamber, which simulates the conditions of outer space," Polyakov said.

The megaproject is being carried out at the Rosatom research institute in Moscow, and the first experiments will begin this year.

The plasma engine can deliver a cargo or passenger ship to Mars in 30-60 days, while now this way is possible only on traditional chemical engines and takes half a year.

"From the surface we still take off with the help of chemical engines, but here in space we are no longer carrying fuel, which is needed to accelerate our system, but we are carrying a small amount of gas in a cylinder and with this gas accelerate systems," - said junior researcher of JSC "SSC RF Trinity" Egor Biryulin.

Plasma heart: Russian engine will deliver to Mars in one or two months

What prospects for deep space exploration new propulsion systems will open up

Earlier, on February 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian scientists will have to solve large-scale problems and create solutions that will surpass foreign analogues. He noted that the country needs the contribution of young scientists in achieving Russia's national goals.