Scientists begin testing space thruster which could boldly go where no one has gone before
image: Scientists trial new space rocket thruster
Credit: University of Southampton
Deep space exploration might no longer be confined to sci-fi after scientists began testing a rocket thruster which promises to boldly go further than ever before.
Astro engineers from the University of Southampton are trialling a new propulsion system which can power spaceships through the stars using any type of metal as fuel.
They say this means crafts fitted with the technology could fly indefinitely by refilling its tanks using minerals harvested from asteroids or far-off moons.
Lead scientist Dr Minkwan Kim, from the University of Southampton, has been tasked with testing the propulsion system in his labs to measure its thrust.
He said the tech could help spaceships and probes travel to regions of the universe previously thought unreachable.
Dr Kim added: “Spacecraft have limited amounts of fuel because of the enormous cost and energy it takes to launch them into space.
“But these new thrusters are capable of being have are powered by any metal that can burn, such as iron, aluminium or copper.
“Once fitted, spacecraft could land on a comet or moon, rich in these minerals, and harvest what it needs before jetting off with a full tank.
“It could open up vast new frontiers and accelerate our understanding of the universe.”
Once blasted above the earth’s atmosphere, spacecraft are mostly propelled by rare gas phase fuels such as xenon or krypton, which also power the Starlink satellites.
Scientists from Southampton are working with British-based space firm Magdrive on the propulsion system.
Such is the potential of the technology, named Super Magdrive, that it was recently given £1million by the UK government to bring the concept to life.
Dr Kim, who created a plasma thruster design for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched last year, said he hopes the tech can be used for future deep-space missions.
He added: “The system could help us explore new planets, seek out new life, and go where no human has gone before – enabling never-ending discovery.”
Read more about how the University of Southampton is pioneering future space technology at www.southampton.ac.uk/aerospace.