MagBeam Propulsion: To Mars And Back In 90 Days

Artist's representation of magnetized-beam plasma propulsion. (Image credit: University of Washington)

One power source could be used to power multiple craft (serially, not at the same time).
The power source could use solar energy, resulting in additional cost savings.
Plasma propellants are accelerated to speeds an order of magnitude greater than those achieved by chemical rocket propellants, resulting in higher spacecraft velocities - at least 26,000 miles per hour.

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Bill Christensen is the founder and editor of Technovelgy, a website dedicated to cataloguing the inventions, technology and ideas of science fiction writers. Bill is a dedicated reader of science fiction with a passion about science and the history of ideas. For 10 years, he worked as writer creating technical documentation for large companies such as Ford, Unisys and Northern Telecom and currently works to found and maintain large websites. You can see Bill's latest project on Twitter.

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