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Plasma Rocket Successful Full Power Test

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the to-infinity-and-beyond dept.

Matt_dk writes "VASIMR is a new high-power plasma-based space propulsion technology, initially studied by NASA and now being developed privately by Ad Astra. A VASIMR engine could maneuver payloads in space far more efficiently and with much less propellant than today's chemical rockets. Ultimately, VASIMR engines could also greatly shorten robotic and human transit times for missions to Mars and beyond."

21 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. Plasma Rockets Suck. by TheRealZero · · Score: 5, Funny

    LCD rockets have sharper colors.

    1. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by oatesy · · Score: 1, Funny

      true, but the plasma ones come in bigger models...

    2. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by coldmist · · Score: 4, Funny

      Plasmas have deeper blacks, to really show that cosmos better.

      --
      Don't steal. The government hates competition.
    3. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 4, Funny

      I first read that as "LSD rockets have sharper colors"

    4. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by flitty · · Score: 2, Funny

      Apparently, Keeping a website from being slashdotted IS HARDER than rocket science.

      --
      Whether or not there is some sort of god, I'm not supposed to say/god is a word and the argument ends there-Smog
    5. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by YttriumOxide · · Score: 2, Funny

      They do... they really do...

      --
      My book about LSD and Self-Discovery
      Also on facebook as: DroppingAcidDaleBewan
    6. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by Professr3 · · Score: 3, Funny

      That are guaranteed to fail within 9 years?

    7. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by Steve+Baker · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm still waiting for OLED rockets.

    8. Re:Plasma Rockets Suck. by glittalogik · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mine's coloured in alternating stripes of Happy and D#. How about yours?

  2. Now we just need a good hull... by Cyclopedian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Preferbly General Products #2 with a statis field.

    --
    /.'s 10 Millionth
    1. Re:Now we just need a good hull... by Qzukk · · Score: 2, Funny

      a statis field.

      While I applaud finding a use for the whole lot of them, I'm not sure just what kind of protection you'd get from strapping a bunch of Big Government democrats and republicans to your hull... oh wait, you meant stasis not statist ;)

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
  3. Re:Constant Boost? by nih · · Score: 0, Funny

    If so, then this effectively puts the Solar System within reach

    I just left work to get another part of the solar system 'home' without this so called 'Plasma Rocket'

    --
    I'm a rabbit startled by the headlights of life :(
  4. I need to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...whether this technology is more like Windows or Linux before I can form an opinion.

    Unless there's an RIAA angle, of course.

  5. Wamprats by Wiarumas · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now if we can only find a pilot that can maneuver down a trench and target a thermal exhaust port 2 meters wide...

    --
    I will bend like a reed in the wind.
  6. Re:Constant Boost? by digitalsolo · · Score: 3, Funny

    {STAR TREK FANBOY}

    You can't go full impulse to full stop in seconds without inertial damping anyway. Duh.

    {/STAR TREK FANBOY}

    --
    Just another ignorant American.
  7. rob by robcauss · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, I am new here and I have a question, according to the caption under the photo on the site referenced, the unit is UNDERGOING vacuum testing. How long will it be before that guy in the picture implodes? Is this just me?

  8. Arrrrrgon? by mfnickster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Q: What's a pirate's favorite rocket propellant?
    A: Arrrrgon!

    Q: What's a pirate's favorite sock pattern?
    A: Arrrrgyle!

    Q: What's a pirate's favorite rating system?
    A: Arrrrbitron!

    Q: What's a pirate's favorite Dudley Moore movie?
    A: Surprisingly, it's 'Micki and Maude'

    --
    "Slow down, Cowboy! It has been 3 years, 7 months and 26 days since you last successfully posted a comment."
  9. Re:But where does the energy come from? by edrobinson · · Score: 2, Funny

    DiLithium crystals should suffice as a fuel.

  10. Re:The interesting part (to me anyway) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    > If your hydrazine rocket can expel mass at, say,
    > 1000 mph (making numbers up here) then the top
    > speed of your rocket is 1000mph for reasons I
    > hope are obvious.

    I'm no physicist, but anyone who's been through high school physics would know this statement is completely wrong. E

  11. What about the sharks? by SnarfQuest · · Score: 2, Funny

    This isn't going to become a useful technology, like lasers, until you can mount it on a shark!

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  12. Re:The interesting part (to me anyway) by chrome · · Score: 2, Funny

    For everyone who replied to you: http://xkcd.com/386/