If we ever want to send humans to Mars and beyond, we'll need some new ideas in spacecraft propulsion. Ad Astra, the brainchild of former astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz is betting on plasma engines. The plasma inside can reach temperatures of 1 000 000 K, so right now the engineers are working to prevent the engine from melting itself.
Ad Astra, the brainchild of former astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz is betting on plasma engines to send humans to Mars and beyond.