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This fusion-powered rocket could half the time it takes to get to Mars

The Next Web LogoThe Next Web3d ago

This fusion-powered rocket could half the time it takes to get to Mars - The Next Web

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Interplanetary travel might be about to get a whole lot faster — and hotter.  UK startup Pulsar Fusion today unveiled "Sunbird,” a nuclear fusion-powered rocket concept that could halve the time it takes to travel across our solar system — and, maybe, beyond it.  Machine learning models show the rocket could potentially propel a spacecraft with a mass of about 1,000kg (2,200lb) to Pluto in four years — less than half the time it took NASA’s New Horizons mission, which was powered by regular ion thrusters.Earth to Mars? Four months.Earth to Saturn? Two years.

Static tests are slated to begin in 2025 followed by an “In Orbit Demonstration” (IOD) of the core technology components in 2027, the company said.

Rather than launch from Earth each time, several Sunbirds would be “docked” in low-Earth orbit, ready to attach to spacecraft and propel them deeper into the cosmos.


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Article Details

Author / Journalist: Siôn Geschwindt

Category: Technology

Markets:

Topics:

Source Website Secure: Yes (HTTPS)

News Sentiment: Positive

Fact Checked: Legitimate

Article Type: News Report

Published On: 2025-03-06 @ 20:50:45 (3 days ago)

News Timezone: GMT +1:00

News Source URL: thenextweb.com

Language: English

Article Length: 609 words

Reading Time: 4 minutes read

Sentences: 25 lines

Sentence Length: 25 words per sentence (average)

Platforms: Desktop Web, Mobile Web, iOS App, Android App

Copyright Owner: © The Next Web

News ID: 26709993

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About The Next Web

The Next Web Logo

Main Topics: Technology

Official Website: thenextweb.com

Year Established: 2006

Headquarters: Netherlands

News Last Updated: 2 days ago

Coverage Areas: Netherlands

Ownership: Independent Company

Publication Timezone: GMT +1:00

Content Availability: Worldwide

News Language: English

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API Access: Available (JSON, REST)

Website Security: Secure (HTTPS)

Publisher ID: #13

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