"It's a huge moment for us because we not only showed the thruster works, but we also hit the power levels we were targeting."
— James Polk, senior research scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Shatters Electric Propulsion Record with 120 kW Test

NASA engineers have successfully tested a next-generation electric propulsion system, achieving a new U.S. record of 120 kilowatts of power. The system, which uses lithium metal vapor as fuel, is specifically designed for future human missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.

Key Milestones

• Record Power: The test reached 120 kW, delivering 25 times more power than the engines currently flying on the Psyche spacecraft.
• Extreme Heat: The thrusters operated at temperatures exceeding 2,800 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Mission Requirements: A human Mars mission is estimated to require 2 to 4 megawatts of power from multiple thrusters, with over 23,000 hours (2.6 years) of continuous operation.
• Efficiency Leap: Electric propulsion can reduce fuel consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional chemical rockets.

Context: The Road to Mars

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, currently en route to the asteroid 16 Psyche, carries the most powerful electric thrusters previously built. Its maximum speed is estimated at 200,000 kph (124,000 mph).

A human mission to Mars would involve approximately 6-9 months of travel each way and 18 months on the surface, totaling about 2.6 years. This timeline is dependent on launch windows, which occur every two years.

This breakthrough brings NASA significantly closer to the power levels needed to send humans to the Red Planet.