Perhaps 1 of the top problems of space travel has been solved. The Russians presented a fresh kind of engine that could in future take a man to Mars in little than 2 months.
Before we seriously address the subject of manned exploration of another planets, we must first overcome a number of technological obstacles. 1 specified problem, and possibly not even the most serious one, is the time it would take to scope another planet. Even if we wanted to go to Mars, we would should be ready to spend at least 8 months in space, possibly even longer. What if it could be arranged in 60 days? Or a month? This was the presumption that Russian scientists came out and started to act.
The Russians are firing a collosus. This baby will take us to Mars in little than 60 days.
Russian scientists and engineers from the Rosatom investigation Institute in Troick presented a prototype of a fresh plasma engine that can revolutionize space travel. With this technology, it could take only 30 to 60 days to fly to Mars, which would be a immense leap compared to the current capabilities. The engine, utilizing hydrogen as fuel, is able to accelerate the charged particles to 100 km/s, which puts Russia at the forefront of the investigation on future drives.
The fresh plasma engine is based on a magnetic plasma accelerator that eliminates the request to burn conventional fuel. Unlike conventional rocket engines, where the flow rate of substance is about 4.5 km/s, the Russian engine uses an electromagnetic field to accelerate charged particles specified as electrons and protons. This achieves much higher speeds, reaching up to 100 km/s.
The engine operates in pulse-period mode and its power is about 300 kW. According to scientists, engine resources let to work for over 2,400 hours, which is adequate for a transport mission to Mars. Currently, ground tests of the engine prototype are underway. A peculiar test station is utilized for this intent – a chamber with a diameter of 4 meters and a dimension of 14 meters, in which conditions akin to those in space are simulated. The chamber is equipped with advanced sensors, vacuum and cooling systems.
Although the prototype plasma engine sounds promising, its applicable usage in space missions inactive takes time. The first ready-to-flight model is not expected to appear until 2030. Nevertheless, Russian scientists are convinced that their technology can revolutionize the global space industry, allowing exploration of the distant corners of the solar system, or even expeditions beyond its borders.
Graphics: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
