Researchers from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, say they have discovered the latest technology to reach Mars in a short time. They developed a laser-thermal propulsion system, in which a laser is used to heat hydrogen fuel.
His party considered that this latest technology could reduce the time from Earth to Mars to 45 days. Because, on a manned mission to Mars, NASA estimates it will take 26 months.
In fact, using today's technology, it would take six to nine months to transit from Earth to Mars.
In the study that was submitted to the journal Astronomy & Astronomy, study leader Emmanuel Duplay said that the technology he developed was directed-energy (DE) propulsion.
The device uses a large laser fired from Earth to send power to the photovoltaic array on the spacecraft by generating electricity, then propelling the craft at a rapid rate.
Duplay said, DE is an interesting subject to be researched. For example in the Starlight program known as the Directed Energy Propulsion for Interstellar Exploration (DEEP-IN) and Directed Energy Interstellar Studies (DEIS) programs.
"We were interested in how the same laser technology could be used for rapid transit in the Solar System, which we hope will be a stepping stone for demonstrating the technology," Duplay said.
To successfully land on Mars within six weeks, previously only possible by nuclear-powered rockets, with high radiation risks. Thus, the laser beam system to propel the spacecraft into space is thought to be capable of delivering fast transport within the Solar System.
“The spacecraft accelerates very fast while still near Earth. We believe we can use the same laser-powered rocket engine to bring the booster back into Earth orbit, after which it hurls the main vehicle to Mars, allowing it to be rapidly recycled in the next launch."
The system uses a laser beam to propel the craft into space at relativistic speeds, where the stronger the laser, the faster the spacecraft glides.
He explained that the fiber-optic laser beam in this technology functions as a single optical element, which can be used to focus the laser beam onto the heating chamber on the spacecraft.
This allows the spacecraft to reach Mars more quickly, within the planned time.
The experimental spacecraft made by the research team will create a laser with a diameter of about 9.7 meters with a power of 100 megawatts.
They also plan to develop materials that can withstand high temperatures, allowing spacecraft to penetrate the Martian atmosphere.
"Being able to penetrate the atmosphere is the key to enabling the craft to return to Earth," Duplay explained.
However, most of the technology designed by Duplay and his team is still in the theory and development stages.
The good news is that shortening the time to get to Mars from months will solve the logistical and health problems of astronauts.
