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Space & Astronomy

Ion engine could power trips to Mars

By T.K. Randall
July 26, 2009 · Comment icon 27 comments

Image Credit: Ad Astra
A new type of ion engine is currently being tested that could one day enable trips to Mars within just 39 days. Unlike conventional rocket fuel engines an ion engine can provide continuous thrust long after the craft has left orbit.
There's a growing chorus of calls to send astronauts to Mars rather than the moon, but critics point out that such trips would be long and gruelling, taking about six months to reach the Red Planet.


Source: New Scientist | Comments (27)




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Comment icon #18 Posted by DONTEATUS 16 years ago
In space nobody can Hear her Scream !
Comment icon #19 Posted by lilmcnessy 16 years ago
This is what will happen when they try to take off in it
Comment icon #20 Posted by DONTEATUS 16 years ago
This is what will happen when they try to take off in it Is that from the New Star trek Movie? The Ion-engine is mostlikley 20-30 years out? But What a machine it can be ! Dream big,Believe in the Infnint !
Comment icon #21 Posted by lilmcnessy 16 years ago
Is that from the New Star trek Movie? The Ion-engine is mostlikley 20-30 years out?But What a machine it can be ! Dream big,Believe in the Infnint ! Nope its from the game command and conquer
Comment icon #22 Posted by beale947 16 years ago
In CnC the ion cannon works very differently to an Ion engine IF you want it explaining why, I'll tell you
Comment icon #23 Posted by DONTEATUS 16 years ago
Wont it be Grand someday When we can Zip to Mars in a Few Days ? Its going to Happen I believe! I`ll be long gone but maybe just the Atoms needed to propel those ships.
Comment icon #24 Posted by Sanderz 16 years ago
This really is a great development. But I think what we also need too is do something like the Stargate. Maybe I've been watching too much Sci Fi, but it will definitely help us travel to planets easier too rather than just riding on a spaceship for x number of days back and forth. Sorry, but read "Physics of The Impossible" by Michio Kaku. In one of the later chapters he disgusses wormholes, which would be needed for a Stargate. Luckily, a wormhole can be created. However, the energy required to open a hole just ONE meter wide is... Well I can't remember the name of the unit, but the amount i... [More]
Comment icon #25 Posted by zerotheshadow 16 years ago
Man you gotta love the 21st Century....what if in like 40 or 50 years we have large star ships with even more advanced engines? wow....I've been watching too much sci fi......
Comment icon #26 Posted by ROGER 16 years ago
Man you gotta love the 21st Century....what if in like 40 or 50 years we have large star ships with even more advanced engines? wow....I've been watching too much sci fi...... When Star Trek first aired I was 15 years old. And I have seen what was a Sci-Fi story line now resemble every day life in some ways. So I envey my Grand Children , because they may see the World I could only Dream of. So no such thing as To Much Sci-Fi.
Comment icon #27 Posted by hippomchippo 16 years ago
When Star Trek first aired I was 15 years old. And I have seen what was a Sci-Fi story line now resemble every day life in some ways.So I envey my Grand Children , because they may see the World I could only Dream of. So no such thing as To Much Sci-Fi. Just think, if we're reincarnated when we die, we will be able to potentially see every great advancement of mankind


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