According to Xinhua News Agency, NASA recently announced that its newly developed ion engine, the Xenon Propulsion Unit (NEXT), has successfully completed a groundbreaking test lasting over 48,000 hours—equivalent to nearly five and a half years of continuous operation. This achievement sets a new world record for the longest uninterrupted testing of a space thruster system.
On the same day, NASA released a statement explaining that the NEXT propulsion system is part of a solar electric propulsion technology, which harnesses energy from solar panels to generate thrust. Unlike traditional chemical rockets, it uses helium as a propellant. During the extensive testing period, the system only consumed 860 kilograms of helium, yet it produced a total impulse equivalent to that of 10 tons of conventional rocket fuel. This efficiency allows the engine to provide a steady, low-thrust push over long durations, enabling spacecraft to reach speeds of up to 145,000 kilometers per hour while using less than one-tenth the propellant of traditional systems.
The development of ion engines dates back to the 1950s, when NASA first began exploring this advanced propulsion technology. The NEXT system represents the latest and most advanced iteration of this concept, marking a significant step forward in deep-space exploration capabilities. With such efficient propulsion, future missions could travel farther, carry more scientific instruments, and operate for longer periods without the need for large amounts of fuel. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we explore our solar system and beyond.
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