A physicist has come up with a new concept of rocket engine gears 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 it Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
Ebrahimi’s study was published in the Journal of Plasma Physics.
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One of the main differences between Ebrahimi’s new rocket propellant concept and others tested by space is that its uses magnetic fields to increase the plasma particles in the back of the rocket. Until now, space-tested ones use electric fields to increase plasma.
Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter and is made up of gaseous ions and free electrons. Our Sun is a burning plasma ball that uses a fusion reaction, for example.
Current plasma propellants that use electric fields to propel these particles only run at low speeds. However, Ebrahimi’s new plasma propellant concept was able to create exhaust leaks at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second, or ten times faster than current propellants.
This means that if used, astronauts could reach outer planets much faster. Drivers would significantly increase the start of the trip, ultimately reducing the entire travel time.
Ebrahimi noted that there are three main differences between his proposed rocket propellant concept and the existing ones. The first is to use magnetic fields that offer more thrust autonomy. Second, the new concept creates motion as it expels plasma and plasmoid particles; the latter adds additional power to the propeller. And finally, the magnetic fields allow the plasma inside the propellant to consist of light or heavy atoms. This allows scientists to adapt the thrust power per mission.
“This work was inspired by past fusion work and this is the first time plasmoids and reconnection have been proposed for space propulsion, “Ebrahimi said.” The next step is to build a prototype, “he continued.