Tag

Space Propulsion

All articles tagged with #space propulsion

technology16 hours ago•9 min saved

Lithium-Powered Thruster Sets US Record, Advancing Crewed Mars Missions

NASA’s next‑gen electric propulsion thruster using lithium metal vapor set a US power record at 120 kilowatts, signaling major progress toward fuel‑efficient, long‑duration missions to Mars. While such systems could drastically cut propellant needs and enable faster transit, a crewed Mars mission would still demand multi‑megawatt power and thousands of hours of operation to manage cruise and surface phases, underscoring both promise and engineering challenges for future deep‑space travel.

via SciTechDaily|

#electric-propulsion #lithium-metal-vapor #mars-missions

future-of-space7 days ago•4 min saved

Swiss Students Test 20,000-Detonation-Per-Second Rotating Rocket Engine

A team of ETH Zurich students from the ARIS Pegasus project tested a rotating detonation rocket engine powered by propane and liquid oxygen, achieving stable detonation waves at up to 20,000 per second in a nighttime test at Dübendorf Air Base. The milestone underscores growing international interest in rotating detonation propulsion, which could improve fuel efficiency and payload capacity for future space missions, though it demands advanced materials and ultra-fast fuel injection. The project highlights collaborative, iterative student research and places Switzerland among a small group pursuing RDRE demonstrations.

via Interesting Engineering|

#eth-zurich #future-of-space #nasa

technology26 days ago•3 min saved

NASA tests lithium-metal electric thruster, hits 120 kW power in breakthrough propulsion demo

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory demonstrated a lithium-metal vapor electric thruster and set a 120 kW power record, marking a major step toward high‑power, fuel‑efficient propulsion for future crewed Mars missions. While the tech promises substantial propellant savings, a real Mars mission would require multi‑megawatt power and thousands of hours of operation to enable transit, landing, and return; scaling the system remains the key challenge.

via Universe Today|

#electric-propulsion #lithium-metal #mars-mission

space1 month ago•3 min saved

Laser-Propelled Metajets Could Shorten Alpha Centauri Trip to 20 Years

Texas A&M researchers demonstrated micron-scale metajets that use metasurfaces to move in three dimensions when illuminated by laser light, enabling 3D maneuverability that could, in theory, scale to propel larger craft. While the approach could cut a trip to Alpha Centauri to about 20 years, feasibility remains uncertain as tests to date occurred in fluid environments and microgravity space tests are planned to validate practicality and scaling.

via Futurism|

#interstellar-travel #laser-propulsion #metajets

space-and-spaceflight1 month ago•16 min saved

Astrobotic’s Chakram RDRE Delivers 4,000+ Lbf Thrust in NASA Hot-Fire Demo

Astrobotic tested its Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, firing two prototypes to more than 4,000 pounds of thrust per engine for a combined 470 seconds of burn time across eight hot-fire tests, with no damage observed. The RDRE uses detonation shockwaves in a circular channel to boost efficiency and has potential for lunar landers and deep-space propulsion, supported by NASA SBIR awards and a Space Act Agreement; similar RDRE work is underway by Venus Aerospace and NASA.

via Gizmodo|

#astrobotic #chakram #rocket-engines

technology3 months ago•6 min saved

Water-Fueled Rockets Spark Mars Refueling Network Vision

A startup led by former SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison aims to turn water into rocket fuel via electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen for chemical propulsion, and into plasma for electrical propulsion. The plan envisions a Mars-based refueling network and includes a 1,100-pound satellite test on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in October 2026, with the potential to dramatically reduce mission costs and enable longer, deeper-space journeys.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#electrolysis #in-situ-resource-utilization #mars-refueling

business4 months ago•1 min saved

L3Harris Sells 60% Space Propulsion Stake to AE Industrial for $845M

L3Harris is selling a 60% stake in its space propulsion business to AE Industrial Partners for $845 million to shift focus towards defense, while reorganizing into three segments to better align with future warfare needs; the deal also aims to accelerate propulsion tech development, including nuclear propulsion for Mars exploration, with the transaction expected to close in late 2026.

via Reuters|

#ae-industrial-partners #business #defense-focus

business4 months ago•3 min saved

L3Harris Nears Sale of Space Propulsion Stake to AE Industrial for $845M

L3Harris Technologies plans to sell a 60% stake in its space propulsion business to AE Industrial Partners for $845 million, while retaining a 40% stake and the RS-25 engine program. The deal aims to refocus L3Harris on core defense priorities, and AE Industrial intends to revive the Rocketdyne brand and collaborate on future propulsion technologies, including nuclear propulsion for deep-space exploration.

via SpaceNews|

#ae-industrial #aerojet-rocketdyne #business

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Ex-NASA Scientist Allegedly Breaks Physics to Defy Gravity

A former NASA scientist claims to have developed a new propulsion system that can move without expelling mass, potentially defying gravity, using electrostatic asymmetry. While intriguing, these claims are unverified and face skepticism due to their challenge to established physics principles, requiring rigorous independent testing before acceptance.

via Indian Defence Review|

#electrostatics #gravity-defiance #nasa

space-exploration5 months ago•2 min saved

NASA's Lunar Gateway Advances with Successful Electric Engine Tests

NASA has successfully tested powerful new electric engines for the Lunar Gateway, a space station orbiting the Moon that will serve as a staging point for lunar and future deep space missions. These efficient electric thrusters will enable longer, more cost-effective trips by using electricity instead of fuel, marking a significant advancement in space propulsion technology and preparing for future Mars exploration.

via supercarblondie.com|

#electric-engines #lunar-gateway #moon-missions

science-and-technology7 months ago•0 min saved

Revolutionary Engine Promises 30-Day Trip to Mars

A new engine technology has been developed that could potentially enable travel to Mars in just 30 days, representing a significant breakthrough in space propulsion and interplanetary travel capabilities.

via bgr.com|

#interplanetary-travel #mars #new-engine

science-and-technology7 months ago•0 min saved

Plasma Engine Prototype Brings Mars Travel Closer to 30 Days

A new plasma engine prototype could make it possible to travel to Mars in just 30 days, significantly reducing travel time to the Red Planet.

via SlashGear|

#interplanetary-travel #mars-travel #plasma-engine

technology8 months ago•8 min saved

Astronaut Pam Melroy Joins Venus Aerospace After Rocket Engine Breakthrough

Pam Melroy, a former NASA astronaut and spaceflight expert, has joined Venus Aerospace's board as the company advances its revolutionary rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), which offers a 15% efficiency increase and could transform space travel and defense applications, including high-speed global travel and lunar/Mars landers.

via Space|

#pam-melroy #rdre #rotating-detonation-rocket-engine

science-and-technology9 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Develop Advanced Solar Sail Technology for Fuel-Free Space Travel

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have developed innovative transmissive solar sail technology that uses sunlight bending through microscopic patterns for fuel-free spacecraft propulsion, with potential applications in deep space exploration, climate intervention, and space debris removal, paving the way for more sustainable and versatile space missions.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#climate-intervention #fuel-free-spacecraft #science-and-technology

science-and-technology11 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Stunned by Breakthrough Anti-Gravity Technology

Charles Buhler, a former NASA engineer, claims to have developed a revolutionary propulsion system that generates thrust without propellant, potentially transforming space travel. While initial tests are promising, the technology requires rigorous validation to confirm its viability and adherence to physical laws. If proven, it could lead to cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient space exploration, marking a significant breakthrough in physics and engineering.

via Jason Deegan|

#anti-gravity #buhler #exodus-propulsion