NASA Plans Test of New Plasma Drive

Sallust writes "Flightglobal has an interesting article about the testing of a new electrically powered plasma engine called the Vasimir. It's being developed by former astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz and promises to greatly reduce the time and fuel required for interplanetary journeys. According to the article: 'The Vasimir involves the injection of a gas such as hydrogen into an engine that turns it into a plasma. That plasma is then energised further using radio signals as it flows through the engine, a process controlled by electromagnetic waves from superconducting magnets. Accelerated and heated through this process the plasma is focused and directed as exhaust by a magnetic nozzle. Vasimir is many times more efficient than conventional chemical rockets and far less fuel is needed.' The developers are finalising an agreement with NASA to fit a scaled-down version of the engine to the ISS to conduct operational tests. There is also a concept video on YouTube suggesting a journey time for a manned craft to Mars on the order of 60-70 days."

Comments

Yes, attach it to the ISS

[BigDaddyOttawa]

What could possibly go wrong?

Re:Yes, attach it to the ISS

[oldspewey]

It's okay as long as they remember to leave the parking brake on.

Re:plasma exit velocity?

[Dancindan84]

Google 'microwave plasma balls' and you will get the idea.

I'm completely in awe that I didn't get a single porn site on the front page doing that search.

Re:New, it is not

[qoncept]

I'm sure in 1979 they could walk in to any corner drug store and buy plutonium, but this is 2008. No, no, the only thing that could generate that kind of electricity is a bolt of lightning, but unfortunately you never know when or where it's going to strike.