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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."

2 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. Constant Boost? by Fished · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I couldn't find an answer in the article, or on the Wikipedia page... are the "reduced reaction mass" requirements for this engine such that constant boost becomes a possibility for longish missions? If so, then this effectively puts the Solar System within reach.

    --
    "He who would learn astronomy, and other recondite arts, let him go elsewhere. " -- John Calvin, commenting on Genesis 1
  2. Re:The risk by azemute · · Score: 3, Interesting

    VASIMR is not a conventional rocket and instead uses ionized argon gas as a propellant. Argon gas is inert and thus unreactive; meaning that there's really no serious explosion danger compared to a conventional rocket powered vessel.

    Mind you, much like ion drives, it can only be used in a vacuum, making it totally useless for load-lifting object *into* space and really only useful for moving them around while up there. Ion drives have classically been used as station keeping drives on space stations and in deep space probes.