NASA Lithium Plasma Thruster Development
Sector: Power Generation (CCGT) • Location: Pasadena, California, United States
Source: SciTechDaily
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed and tested a record-breaking lithium-powered plasma thruster designed to enable future human missions to Mars. The thruster operates using magnetoplasmadynamic technology, accelerating plasma to generate thrust with high fuel efficiency. The prototype was tested at power levels up to 120 kilowatts, surpassing previous electric thrusters used by NASA, with
- Status
- Under Construction
- Sector
- Power Generation (CCGT), Nuclear, Education
- Location
- Pasadena, California, United States of America
- Updated
- 22 Jul 2026
- Source
- SciTechDaily
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Project Information
Participants
| Not available for this record. |
Status
Original status | under testing |
Taiyo status | Under Construction |
Taiyo last update | 2026-07-22 |
Contact
| Not available for this record. |
Description
Description | NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed and tested a record-breaking lithium-powered plasma thruster designed to enable future human missions to Mars. The thruster operates using magnetoplasmadynamic technology, accelerating plasma to generate thrust with high fuel efficiency. The prototype was tested at power levels up to 120 kilowatts, surpassing previous electric thrusters used by NASA, with plans to scale up power output for deep-space missions. |
Original sector | Space Technology |
Location
Country | United States of America (USA) |
State | California |
City | Pasadena |
Source
Source | SciTechDaily |
URL |
More Details
Record type | Project |
Sector | Power Generation (CCGT), Nuclear, Education |
Article published date | 2026-05-11 |
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