propulsion

An engine for Mars: Aerojet wins $67M NASA contract for solar electric propulsion

Posted in Business on 22nd Apr, 2016
by Alex Muller

Electric propulsion systems are expected to send astronauts to Mars and its moons starting in the 2030s.

New Ion Drive has 153% more fuel efficiency than the previous record ion drive built by NASA

Posted in Science on 26th Sep, 2015
by Alex Muller

The drive is using fuel far more efficiently, allowing for it to operate for longer.

World's first all-electric propulsion satellite goes on line

Posted in Hardware on 14th Sep, 2015
by Alex Muller

Boeing says that the technology is based on 210,000 hours of ion propulsion flight experience and is 10 times more efficient than liquid-fueled rockets.

Chinese scientists persue dreams of solar-powered space flight

Posted in Science on 25th Jun, 2015
by Alex Muller

A team of Chinese scientists believe they could one day develop a fuel-free spacecraft that would be able fly through deep space using only light from the sun.

Laser Thruster Propels Simulated Spacecraft

Posted in Hardware on 16th May, 2015
by Alex Muller

Laser power is still a long way from being ready for any kind of planetary exploration, but this first test confirms that it works.