Space News and Discussions

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NASA's experimental ion engine passes major test, bringing Mars mission closer
By Chris Young
May 12, 2026
https://newatlas.com/space-systems/nasa ... sses-test/

The first human Mars explorers won’t have it easy. Every additional day in deep space will increase their exposure to deadly cosmic radiation, while isolation gnaws at their minds and microgravity erodes their muscles.

That’s one of the main reasons NASA is painstakingly researching new technologies that could shave months off future crewed Mars missions. The space agency’s latest attempt at a technological breakthrough is a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster — an experimental ion engine 25 times more powerful than its most powerful operational model.

On the surface, ion engines might seem like a poor choice for faster Mars missions. They rely on continuous low thrust, starting slowly and taking a long time to reach high speeds. As a result, they are usually better suited to years-long journeys into deep space.

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[weatheriscool]

Well, that is better then massive cuts.

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[Yuli Ban]

I wonder if those magnetic tornadoes have something to do with this