New Technology Paves the Way for Space Exploration: Rockets No Longer Need to Return to Earth for Refueling.
When it comes to space exploration, fuel is still one of the major obstacles, limiting rocket stages from traveling further due to restricted energy sources.
However, a recent study may create a turning point, enabling rockets to be launched farther and thus expanding our reach into the universe.
Breakthrough technology allows rockets to use any metal as fuel (Photo: University of Southampton).
To achieve this, aerospace engineers at the University of Southampton have tested a new propulsion system that can power spacecraft traveling between stars by using any type of metal as fuel.
They stated that this means spacecraft can now fly indefinitely by refueling from minerals obtained from distant asteroids or moons.
“Spacecraft have limited fuel because of the immense cost and energy required to launch them into space,” shared Dr. Minkwan Kim, a scientist on the project.
“However, the new propulsion system can operate using any combustible metal, such as iron, aluminum, or copper.”
Accordingly, once installed, spacecraft can land on comets or moons rich in minerals, collect what they need, and then continue their journey with a fully refueled tank.
This technology, named Super Magdrive, is so promising that the UK government recently funded £1 million to bring the idea to fruition.
Dr. Kim, who designed the plasma thruster for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched last year, expressed hope that this technology could be used for deep space missions in the future.
“This system could help us explore new planets, search for new life, and reach places never before known,” Dr. Kim stated. “It is a journey of exploration that never ends.”
It is known that after being lifted above Earth’s atmosphere, spacecraft are primarily propelled by rare gas fuels like xenon or krypton. This is also the fuel powering Starlink satellites.
When this energy source runs out, spacecraft are forced to return to Earth to begin the reusability process. This incurs significant costs, mainly from the landing and launching process of rockets once again from Earth.
