A Chinese research team announced on Monday that a new space propellant had reached its full power.
The high -thrown magnetoplasmadynamic propellant of 100 kW which has been tested should open the way for future space trips, with applications in interstellar travel, interplanetary freight transport and the exploration of distant space.
The engine is a plasma propulsion system, which works by ionizing propergol to create plasma, which is then accelerated by an electromagnetic field to form a flow of high -speed particles, thus generating push, according to its designer, the Institut de propulsion aerospace de Xi’an.
The search team used new 3D printed materials and the technology of super -temperature superconducting magnets, which allows the engine system to reach an effective input power of more than 100 kW. Currently, the power level of these engines is generally of the order of a few tens of kilowatts.
According to the Institute, this propulsion system can be used to provide a powerful and reliable thrust to large or very large Chinese spacecraft.
