Well, more like a thruster.
Actually, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://australianit.news.com.au/common/print/0,7208,8563939%5E16681%5E%… article on Australian IT,</a> it <i>is</i> a thruster. A new plasma thruster developed at the Australian National University is being heralded as a breakthrough in deep space exploration. The thruster, called the "Helicon Double Layer Thruster", uses solar electricity to create a magnetic field through which hydrogen is passed to make a beam of plasma, which powers a ship through space.
HDLT inventor Dr. Christine Charles says,"For deep space exploration, like going to Mars, you need to use plasma propulsion because it is a lot more fuel efficient and you can go a lot faster." And, in this case, faster is definately better.
All I can say is, "Good on, ya', Mate!"
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