NASA Tests Lithium-Fed Thruster for Mars Missions
NASA has successfully tested a novel electromagnetic thruster that uses lithium metal vapor, marking a significant step towards enabling crewed missions to Mars. Conducted at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the test achieved power levels exceeding any previous electric thruster tests in the United States. This lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic thruster could become part of a nuclear electric propulsion system, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional chemical rockets. The thruster operates by using high currents and magnetic fields to accelerate lithium plasma, achieving power levels up to 120 kilowatts. 
