NASA Successfully Tests Powerful Lithium-Fed Thruster for Faster Mars Travel

NASA has successfully tested a high-powered lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster, achieving approximately 120 kW of power, over 25 times greater than electric thrusters on the Psyche spacecraft. This advancement, tested at JPL on February 24th, 2026, marks a significant step towards developing quicker means of deep space travel for future human missions to Mars.