Isaac+M.

Isaac Moorman 11/12/09 Social Studies Mr. Jacobson    In the information about a new plasma rocket, it describes how the plasma rocket works. It tells precisely how the engine works. Instead of being like the current rockets that burn fuel quickly then glides on a curved path to its destination, it makes slow, but steady thrusts on a straight path to its destination. The way the motor works is in four steps. In the first step electrons and argon atoms are pushed together releasing more electrons. In the second step ions and electrons flow along a magnetic path. In the third step electromagnetic waves heat the ions so the ions get a high intensity charge. In the fourth, and the last step, the ions and electrons are shot out of the end of the engine like a nozzle.When this happens it provides one pound of thrust for the rocket. This is how the new plasma rocket works. I think the information about the new plasma rocket was fascinating. It was fascinating because it told about an element and how it will give thrusts to get a rocket so it can get to Mars in half the time. I also thought it was interesting because it came with a diagram of the engine and how it worked. I'm hoping that in the next decade we will be able to send astronauts to Mars in the plasma rocket. It would be even cooler if they found life on Mars. We would find a way to communicate. Maybe some day we might live on Mars. These are all wishes now but I hope the new plasma rocket will allow them all to come true.