Scientists at Russia's Troitsk Institute are testing a prototype plasma rocket engine for a deep-space propulsion system developed by state nuclear corporation Rosatom. Instead of chemical combustion, the system uses electromagnetically accelerated plasma to continuously generate thrust. Researchers say the technology could reduce interplanetary travel times from months to under one month. According to Russian media, the engine is being tested in a 14-meter vacuum chamber and is operating in pulsed mode at around 300 kilowatts. While plasma propulsion systems are already used in satellites, this prototype reportedly achieves significantly higher exhaust velocities than existing systems. Ref: Fossbytes