Fusion propulsion could transform space travel within a decade

Several companies are developing nuclear fusion propulsion engines: U.K.-based Pulsar Fusion aims for a demonstration mission in 2027, while Princeton University and Helicity Space pursue their own designs. In March, Pulsar achieved "first plasma" in its Sunbird engine, briefly turning krypton gas into plasma confined by an electromagnetic field.

• Pulsar Fusion plans a fusion propulsion demonstration mission in 2027
• In March it achieved "first plasma" in its Sunbird engine in Bletchley
• A Mars trip would need only a few hundred grams of deuterium and helium-3
• Sunbird's projected speed is up to 529,000 km/h, 10 times faster than Voyager 1