Researchers at Magdrive have developed a revolutionary plasma engine that can utilize nearly any metal as fuel, potentially unlocking countless possibilities for space exploration.
This breakthrough means that iron, the most abundant metal on Earth and in the universe, can now be used as a primary source of energy for spacecraft. While metals are commonly thought of as structural materials, some have unique combustion properties. Metals like lithium, magnesium, and titanium exhibit explosive reactions, while aluminum, a prominent component of the earth’s crust, is already employed in solid fuel missile engines.
Named Super Magdrive, the new technology harnesses energy from solar panels stored in capacitors. This energy is then discharged at high speeds, exceeding 1000 volts, to initiate ionization. This process generates a dense and high-temperature plasma stream that can be accelerated and directed using magnetic fields to propel the spacecraft.
Although traditional chemical rockets are still necessary for launching spacecraft into orbit due to insufficient thrust from plasma engines within Earth’s atmosphere, these engines can be highly effective in the vacuum of space.
According to developers, the Super Magdrive engine is “an order of magnitude more powerful than similar-sized electric motor systems.” In simple terms, this implies a tenfold increase in superiority. While Howe Industries is developing a plasma rocket engine with a thrust of 100,000 N and a specific impulse of 5000, the exact figures for the Super Magdrive’s thrust capability remain undisclosed.
Researchers at the University of Southampton and Magdrive are collaborating to validate the capabilities of this plasma propulsion system. Dr. Minvan Kim, the project’s lead researcher, highlights the potential of these engines to utilize various combustible metals like iron, aluminum, or copper, providing the ability for spacecraft to refuel on celestial bodies abundant in these materials.
In January 2023, the first Super Magdrive was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-6 mission as part of Operation Get It UP. Initial reports indicated a successful deployment, but subsequent updates on the device’s operation remain scarce. Magdrive plans to launch an even more powerful plasma engine in June 2025, codenamed “So Much for Subtlety.”