images

Bussard Interstellar Ramjet Engine - Artist view

by

S.Numazawa/Apb/Novapix

Reference

e-ill02-00011

Date

2007-01-04

The Bussard Interstellar Ramjet engine concept uses interstellar hydrogen scooped up from its environment as the spacecraft passes by to provide propellant mass. The hydrogen is then ionized and then collected by an electromagnetic field.