Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Rosatom's Plasma Rocket Could Reach Mars in 30 Days

10/22/2025

46 4

Summary

Story summary

The Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom is developing a plasma rocket engine that could cut Mars travel time to about 30 days.
The engine uses electromagnetic forces to accelerate hydrogen plasma.
The prototype ionizes hydrogen into plasma.
It expels plasma at 100 kilometers per second.
The engine's thrust is modest and it can run more than 2,400 hours, with a flight-ready version planned by 2030.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom is developing a plasma rocket engine that could cut Mars travel time to about 30 days.
The engine uses electromagnetic forces to accelerate hydrogen plasma.
The prototype ionizes hydrogen into plasma.
It expels plasma at 100 kilometers per second.
The engine's thrust is modest and it can run more than 2,400 hours, with a flight-ready version planned by 2030.