Chinese scientists suggest they’re bringing space plasma thrusters down to Earth, with a new kind that performs as well in the atmosphere as others do in the vacuum of space. Using just air and ...

A scale-model plasma rocket engine that is to be tested at the International Space Station could be delivered in 2012 by a NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) programme launch ...

Sustained hypersonic propulsion is a complex problem due to the high temperatures and velocities associated with these flows. In high-hypersonic flow regimes, combustion is limited by low residence ...

A new plasma thruster could scale up to compete with traditional jet engines. The plasma is magnified by high-intensity microwaves and pressurized air. Researchers had to invent a way to measure the 1 ...