Plasma Engines
Plasma engines are a type of spacecraft propulsion system that use plasma, a high-energy state of matter, as a propellant. Plasma is created by ionizing a gas, which can be done through various methods such as radio frequency or microwaves. The plasma is then accelerated through a magnetic or electric field, which generates thrust. Plasma engines have the potential to provide higher specific impulse and greater efficiency than traditional chemical rockets, making them a promising technology for long-duration space missions. However, they also present technical challenges such as managing the high temperatures and ionization levels of the plasma, and developing lightweight and durable components that can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Tantalum: Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. It is a key material in the aerospace industry due to its high melting point, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and resistance to corrosion ... Read More >>
- JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory): Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in Pasadena, California. JPL is responsible for the design, development, and operation of robotic spacecraft and the conduct ... Read More >>
- Cold War: In the context of aerospace engineering, the Cold War refers to the period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, roughly from 1947 to 1991, which had significant implications for the development of aerospac ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06