Long before any spacecraft can attempt a faster journey to Mars, scientists must first solve one of space exploration’s biggest challenges: propulsion. Chemical rockets, used to launch spacecraft into space from Earth, burn fuel quickly and produce a large amount of thrust for a short time. These engines don’t perform well for long-distance travel once in space. Because of this, missions to Mars usually take six to nine months.In early 2026, news about a new propulsion system being worked on in Russia started to get a lot of attention around the world. Reports say that scientists at Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom are working on a plasma propulsion engine that could, in theory, cut down on the time it takes to get to Mars by a lot. Some predictions based on the research say that a spacecraft using this engine could reach Mars in as little as 30 days.It is important to note that this figure is a theoretical estimate, not a demonstrated capability. According to the researchers involved, the plasma engine is still in the prototype stage and has only undergone ground-based testing. No spaceflight tests have yet taken place. Even so, the technology itself is grounded in real scientific principles and reflects broader global interest in advanced electric propulsion systems.
What is a plasma engine
According to NASA, plasma engines are part of a group of technologies called electric propulsion systems. Instead of burning fuel like traditional rockets, these engines use electricity to turn a gas, usually xenon, into plasma. This plasma is then pushed out at very high speed using electric and magnetic fields, which creates thrust. NASA explains that electric propulsion systems produce much less force than chemical rockets, but they can run continuously for long periods. Because of this steady push, spacecraft can slowly build up very high speeds while using far less fuel. NASA has already tested and used this technology in space. The Dawn spacecraft used ion propulsion, a type of electric propulsion, to travel to the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. More recently, NASA’s Psyche mission is using solar electric propulsion to move through deep space. These missions show that while electric propulsion cannot be used to launch rockets from Earth, it works very well for long journeys in space.
What Russian scientists are claiming
NASA says that plasma engines are a type of electric propulsion system. These engines don’t burn fuel like regular rockets do. Instead, they use electricity to turn gas, usually xenon, into plasma. Electric and magnetic fields then push this plasma out at a very high speed, which makes thrust. NASA says that electric propulsion systems don’t make as much force as chemical rockets, but they can run for a long time without stopping. Spacecraft can slowly reach very high speeds while using much less fuel because of this steady push. This technology has already been tested and used by NASA in space. The Dawn spacecraft used ion propulsion, which is a kind of electric propulsion, to get to the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. NASA’s Psyche mission is currently using solar electric propulsion to travel through deep space. According to media reports, researchers involved in the project say their plasma engine design could theoretically accelerate charged particles to extremely high exhaust velocities. Based on computer modelling, they estimate that sustained acceleration could shorten interplanetary travel time dramatically, including a possible Mars transit of around 30 days.However, experts note that such performance has not been independently verified. The engine has not been tested in space, and the projections depend on several assumptions, including continuous power availability and stable long-term operation.
Why solar panels aren’t enough for high-power plasma engines
Power is one of the biggest problems with plasma propulsion. Solar panels don’t always work well for electric engines that need a lot of power and are far from the Sun. Reports say that the Russian plan would use a small nuclear power source to make the electricity needed to keep plasma acceleration going.This idea is not unique to Russia. According to NASA and other international research bodies, nuclear-powered electric propulsion has long been studied as a potential solution for deep-space missions, though no such system has yet been deployed for human travel.
Why the ‘30-day Mars’ claim needs caution
While the idea of reaching Mars in 30 days has captured public imagination, scientists emphasise that this remains a long-term goal rather than a near-term reality. Current Mars missions rely on well-tested chemical propulsion and orbital mechanics. Any new propulsion technology must undergo years of testing, including space-based demonstrations, before it can be considered mission-ready.According to spaceflight analysts, even if plasma engines mature successfully, they would likely be used first for cargo missions or experimental probes before being considered for crewed spacecraft.What this means for the future of space travelThe Russian plasma engine project highlights a broader trend in space research: the search for faster, more efficient ways to travel beyond Earth. According to NASA and the European Space Agency, reducing travel time to Mars could lower radiation exposure for astronauts and improve mission safety.For now, the plasma engine remains an experimental technology. The claim of a 30-day Mars journey should be understood as a theoretical possibility based on early modelling, not as an imminent breakthrough. Still, continued research into electric and plasma propulsion could play a major role in shaping the future of interplanetary exploration.
