PLASMA ENGINE

Humans tested plasma engines, as early as the mid-twentieth century. Early plasma engines were hydrogen, or deuterium based, powered by crude nuclear fission reactors.

Essentially, plasma engines (also known as plasma jets), fire a stream of very hot gas in the form of charged particles, containing an equal number of positive ions and electrons. Plasma engines can produce a great deal of thrust, quickly and with great stability. Plasma engines, due to their low maintenance and simple construction, are used by less advanced races who depend on nuclear fusion/fission reactors.

Plasma is also an extremely good conductance of electricity, and some races actually use direct current vents in their ship, bumping plasma and powering their vessels. Plasma can also, due to it's high conductivity, be used a formidable weapon. A given subject can fire a stream of plasma with a high electric charge, resulting in a powerful energy weapon. However plasma weapons have a very short effective range.