NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has successfully tested a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster, achieving a power output of 120 kilowatts, a domestic power milestone in the United States. The engine uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionised lithium plasma, providing the necessary thrust for missions carrying heavy loads.

The test is a significant achievement for NASA's 'Moon to Mars' mission, as it could reduce travel time and increase cargo capacity, paving the way for human exploration of Mars.

The MPD thruster transforms electrical energy into thrust by propelling ionised gas, or plasma, through a magnetic field, with the central tungsten electrode exceeding 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the test.

According to NASA, missions to Mars will require much more power, around 2 to 4 megawatts, but the successful test shows that scaling up electromagnetic propulsion is possible.

The next step for NASA is to continue developing the Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) system, which generates power needed for electromagnetic thrusters in areas far from the sun, with the court not applicable in this case, the immediate next steps include further testing and development of the MPD thruster and NEP system.