Scientists say magnetic beams could power high-speed spacecraft to Mars and back in just 90 days. Space researchers are developing the concept of using focused beams of plasma to develop faster space travel for Nasa. Robert Winglee of the University of Washington says a conventional spaceship would take two years to complete a round trip to Mars. But he says firing a magnetised plasma beam of charged particles - or ions - at a spacecraft equipped with a magnetic sail could shoot it forward at record speeds. Mr Winglee says he could launch a test flight within five years if funding is made available to develop the new technology. Harnessing the magnetic force of repulsion between the sail and the beam would give the spacecraft its immense thrust. In theory, the spaceship would launch from a space station in orbit around Earth. The station would shoot a magnetised beam, pushing the spaceship along at tens of thousands of miles per hour. As the ship neared its destination a second beam - firing from a space station orbiting Mars - would be needed to slow it down.