Scientists at Rosatom have successfully developed a laboratory prototype of a plasma electric rocket engine based on a magnetic plasma accelerator. The engine demonstrates enhanced thrust performance of at least 6 Newtons and a specific impulse of at least 100 kilometres per second. This project is part of a comprehensive programme aimed at advancing nuclear science, engineering, and technology in Russia, launched under the national initiative for technological leadership, “New Nuclear and Energy Technologies,” in 2025.
Operating in a pulsed-periodic mode, the engine can reach 300 kilowatts, enabling spacecraft to achieve speeds far beyond the capabilities of conventional chemical engines. Additionally, it improves fuel efficiency, reducing fuel consumption tenfold compared to traditional propulsion systems.
To further test the plasma rocket engine prototype, a large-scale experimental facility is under construction at the Troitsk site. The facility’s main component, a vacuum chamber, measures 4 metres in diametre and 14 metres in length. The chamber will be equipped with high-efficiency vacuum pumping and heat removal systems, allowing scientists to simulate space-like conditions for testing.
“Currently, a one-way trip to Mars using conventional spacecraft can take nearly a year, posing serious risks to astronauts due to cosmic radiation exposure. However, plasma engines could reduce travel time to just 30 to 60 days, making return missions to Mars feasible. The creation of a prototype is a crucial milestone, determining whether the engine is suitable for future ‘nuclear tugs’ in space and if production costs can be reduced,” said first deputy director-general for Science at Rosatom’s Research Institute in Troitsk, Alexey Voronov.
