Future deep space trips to Mars could be revolutionized by an inventive rocket technology, cutting the time it takes to reach the Red Planet down to a few months.
Many obstacles stand in the way of the objective of landing humans on Mars, one of which being the rapid transportation of heavy cargoes to and from the planet. Depending on the exact placements of Earth and Mars, a round-trip flight utilizing current propulsion technology would take nearly two years.
Howe Industries is developing the Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR), a propulsion device that will be significantly more efficient than existing deep space propulsion techniques and allow a two-month journey between Earth and the Red Planet.
In particular, the rocket will have a high specific impulse, or Isp—a gauge of an engine’s thrust-generating efficiency. According to a NASA release, this technology may potentially make it possible for humans and freight to reach and depart Mars more quickly and efficiently than they currently could.
The PPR, which is based on the idea of Pulsed Fission Fusion, generates thrust for spaceship propulsion using a fission-based nuclear power system that gets energy from the carefully regulated splitting of atoms. But compared to earlier ideas, the PPR is more compact, straightforward, and reasonably priced.
The PPR may handle significantly heavier spacecraft, allowing for greater shielding to be placed to lessen a crew member’s exposure to hazardous high-energy particles known as Galactic Cosmic Rays during long-duration spaceflight. This would enable further range missions.
NASA officials stated, “The PPR enables a whole new era in space exploration.”
“The exceptional performance of the PPR, combining high Isp and high thrust, holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration,” the statement continues. “The system’s high efficiency allows for manned missions to Mars to be completed within a mere two months.”
After completing Phase I of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) study, which examined the propulsion system’s neutronics, spacecraft design, power system, and required subsystems, analysis of the magnetic nozzle capabilities, and benefits analysis, the PPR concept is now entering Phase II of the study.
In order to better safeguard crewed missions to Mars in Phase II, developers will build on the evaluations from Phase I to refine the engine design, carry out proof-of-concept studies, and design a spaceship concept. The PPR, which is only now accessible by robotic explorers, may eventually help NASA get closer to building a permanent base on Mars.