Electrothermal Propulsion
Electrothermal Propulsion — Terra Invicta technology. Scientists pursue rockets that use electromagnetic fields to generate plasma that in turn heats a pr…
About Electrothermal Propulsion
Electrothermal Propulsion is a Terra Invicta technology in Energy with a research cost of 500.
Scientists pursue rockets that use electromagnetic fields to generate plasma that in turn heats a propellant.
Truly traveling among the stars has been an unreachable fantasy for mankind for many decades. However, with the invention of high-power electromagnets and superconductors, and the advent of new concepts for deep space propulsion, this dream draws ever closer to reality. Our researchers have finally made good upon one of these concepts: electrothermal propulsion. This rocket design offers faster and more powerful thrust than any conventional combustion system. By using electromagnetic fields to generate an energetic plasma, we can significantly increase the temperature of bulk propellant. The propellant turns into hot gas, which is in turn ejected from a craft's nozzle to create thrust. All our current designs use medium-weight molecules, but our scientists believe that, by changing the propellant to lighter gases such as hydrogen or helium, we can ultimately increase the range of these rockets even further. These expected high-energy electrothermal propulsion systems would allow us to extend our reach deeper into the Solar System.