engineers at the Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed plasma - powered thrusters that could enable mini - satellites , called CubeSats , to move between upper and lower orbit . The improved efficiency of the thrusters would allow the satellites to do more with the small amount of plasma fuel they can store , compared with CubeSats powered by conventional fuel or conventional gas , the engineers claimed .
Engineers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed plasma-powered thrusters that could enable mini-satellites, called CubeSats, to move between upper and lower orbit. The improved efficiency of the thrusters would allow the satellites to do more with the small amount of plasma fuel they can store, compared with CubeSats powered by rocket fuel or conventional gas, the engineers claimed.