Georgia Tech develops a new rocket engine that uses 40% less fuel

We don't usually cover things like rocket engines, as they cannot really be classified as being "green" in any sense of the word. This one is really no different, but it is 40 percent better than the engines currently in use, so I decided to go ahead and share it with all of you. I can't give too much commentary on how this works, but the article mentions that the engine can use solar power in space, and operators on the ground can control the exhaust thrust, sort of like how one might "shift gears" in a car using the transmission. Researchers from Georgia Tech were able to perform these modifications on an engine that was donated from major jet and rocket engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
Do AutoblogGreen readers have any opinions on this? Possible automotive uses would include launching the satellites that we rely on for our GPS tracking services, weather satellites and communication systems. More and more functions on earth require satellites, and this new engine is a way to get them into space using significantly less fuel.

[Source: Gizmag]