A physicist came up with a new concept of a rocket propellant that could take people to Mars ten times faster.
The physicist in question, Fatima Ebrahimi, is the inventor of the concept and is part of US Department of Energy (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).
Ebrahimi’s study was published in the Journal of Plasma Physics.
A rocket-based engine engine
One of the main differences between the new concept of Ebrahimi’s rocket propellant and others proven by space is that it uses magnetic fields to stimulate the plasma particles behind the rocket. So far, space-proven ones use electric fields to stimulate plasma.
Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter and is made up of gas ions and free electrons. Our sun is a plasma burning ball that uses a fusion reaction, for example.
Current plasma propellants that use electric fields to propel these particles operate only at low speeds. However, Ebrahimi’s new plasma engine concept has managed to create exhaust gases at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second – or ten times faster than current engines.
This means that if used, astronauts could reach the outer planets much faster. The thrusters would significantly increase the start of the trip, ultimately reducing the travel time of the entire trip.
Ebrahimi pointed out that there are three main differences between the proposed rocket propulsion concept and the existing ones. The first uses magnetic fields that offer greater autonomy of the pushing power. Second, the new concept creates motion as it removes plasma particles and the plasmoid; the latter adds extra power to the engine. And finally, the magnetic fields allow the plasma inside the propeller to consist of light or heavy atoms. This allows scientists to adapt the power of force on the mission.
“This work was inspired by past fusion work, and this is the first time plasmosis and reconnection have been proposed for space propulsion, “said Ebrahimi.” The next step is to build a prototype, “she continued.