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space technology Articles | Developments Today

Example of an electric propulsion thruster (this image features an electric Hall thruster) that could be used to send humans to Mars one day. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA’s Lithium-Plasma Thruster Hits 120 Kilowatts in Propulsion Test

NASA tested a lithium-vapor electric thruster at 120 kilowatts.
The system could support faster, more fuel-efficient deep-space travel if scaled up.
Future human Mars missions would require power levels far beyond today’s test, but this is a key step.

DE

DT Editorial Team·May 3, 2026·via universetoday.com

More in Space→

NASA’s Artemis II test showed laser communications can change how crews and Earth stay connected

NASA tested an optical communications system on Orion during Artemis II.
The payload exchanged 484 gigabytes of data over laser links during the mission.
The demonstration showed how future lunar missions could return more video, science, and operational data.

DE

DT Editorial Team·May 2, 2026·via phys.org

More in Science→

Although it may be quite a long time before we're traveling in spaceships like one, fuel might not be an issue when we do ... thanks to the experimental new metajet technology

Light-driven ‘metajets’ hint at a new way to steer microscopic flight

Researchers say nanoscale metasurfaces let tiny devices move under laser light alone.
The experiment demonstrated lifting and steering in multiple directions.
The long-term idea is that programmable light pressure could aid future propulsion systems.

DE

DT Editorial Team·Apr 30, 2026·via newatlas.com

More in Innovation→

NASA meatball

NASA puts fresh seed funding behind small-business technologies for the Moon, Mars and Earth

NASA selected more than 30 companies for roughly $16.3 million in SBIR and STTR seed funding.
The supported projects include work in batteries, propulsion, lunar landing technologies, manufacturing, and robotic gripping.
The agency is using early-stage contracts to build technology options for Moon and Mars missions while supporting wider commercial use.

DE

DT Editorial Team·Apr 22, 2026·via nasa.gov

More in Space→

Four things we’d need to put data centers in space

Orbital Data Centers Remain a Radical AI Idea With Very Earthbound Obstacles

Space-based data centers are being pitched as a response to AI’s energy and cooling demands.
The biggest challenges include thermal management, launch, reliability, and scale.
The concept reflects how infrastructure-intensive the AI boom has become.

DE

DT Editorial Team·Apr 3, 2026·via technologyreview.com

DE

DT Editorial Team·Mar 29, 2026·via nasa.gov

More in Innovation→

Official insignia of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA readies a dense slate of technology tests for a March 30 Falcon 9 rideshare launch

NASA says multiple technology and science demonstrations will launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission on March 30.
Payloads include the AEPEX CubeSat for studying energetic particle precipitation and CubeSats tied to the MagQuest magnetic-field challenge.
The mission also includes work on in-space communications, logistics, and thermal protection systems.

More in Space→