When the first astronauts get to Mars sometime in the 2030s or 40s, they're going to need more supplies than can fit in a backpack and rolling luggage. Their habitat, food, rovers, and return vehicle will all have to be pre-delivered. To do all that hauling, NASA is developing an ultra efficient spacecraft engine, and this week the agency announced that Aerojet Rocketdyne will be the company to manufacture it.

The cargo truck of the solar system will use solar power to charge up and expel xenon gas from its backside. The method is said to be up to 10 times more efficient than current chemical propulsion systems. Aerojet Rocketdyne has a 36-month contract to produce the engine, and after that the space agency plans to test fly it on a mission to an asteroid. Later it might deliver cargo and maybe even people to Mars.