NASA Successfully Tests its Plasma Engine
NASA recently announced successful testing of a lithium-based Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The latest results, released in May 2026, represent a major advancement in electric propulsion technology for future deep-space missions, especially human missions to Mars.
A plasma engine, or electric propulsion system, works by ionising a propellant such as xenon or lithium and converting it into plasma. Powerful magnetic and electric fields then accelerate this plasma to extremely high spee
Sign up free to read the full article
Access all current affairs, state notes, subject notes and more — completely free.