[Jonty30]

Another win for Star Trek.

[rodguy911]

Plasma engines have remained in experimental stages for quite some time, and their use is focused mainly on propelling satellites and other spacecraft. Like the TR3B and other craft we have had for decades....Just one method of getting rid of crude which we haven't needed for years.....

[BobL]

“Göksel and his team are hoping for a way to work around this, whether through a breakthrough in compact fusion reactors, or by using alternative power sources like solar panels or maybe ‘beaming power wirelessly to the engines’. “

How about a windmill?

[headstamp 2]

As long as its in the 40 watt range.

[JoeProBono]

[marktwain]

whether through a breakthrough in compact fusion reactors,

---

Well... it is just around the corner, then!

[SpirituTuo]

An intermediate step might be a hybrid design where traditional engines get the plane off the ground, generating electricity, then have the plasma engines kick in. Kind of like piggy backing in reverse.

[Rembrandt]

What do you wanna bet that when there is a malfunction (and there will be one), the result will be one damn big bang!

[libh8er]

The article is wrong about how conventional aircraft jet engines work. 80% or more of the thrust comes from a fan blowing air backwards. The jet engine simply drives that fan.

[Ransomed]

Start it out as a lighter than air dirigible, float it up high and fire the plasma jets, shrink the cross section diameter and deploy lift wings the faster it goes. When you want to land kill the jets, re-inflate and retract the wings, and float to the ground.

Freegards

[Redcitizen]

“maybe ‘beaming power wirelessly to the engines’.”

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

[Texas Fossil]

Because a considerable amount of electricity is needed to generate and sustain plasma, the most challenging part of using a plasma engine would have to be the power source.