Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Successful Test of Superconducting Plasma Rocket Engine

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

xp65 writes to mention that Ad Astra has successfully tested their VX-200 plasma engine at full power in superconducting conditions, the first time such an engine has been tested at those power levels. "The VX-200 engine is the first flight-like prototype of the VASIMR® propulsion system, a new high-power plasma-based rocket, initially studied by NASA and now being developed privately by Ad Astra. VASIMR® engines could enable space operations far more efficiently than today's chemical rockets and ultimately they could also greatly speed up robotic and human transit times for missions to Mars and beyond."

9 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. What terrible timing. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    Damn, this is terrible timing. On the weekend my lady and I were thinking that a new pet name for my penis was due. The current "Superfluidic Particle Accelerating Colossus" was getting a bit stale.

    The better half suggested "Superconducting Plasma Rocket Engine". But now that that name is taken we'll have to use our second favourite choice: "Hank".

    .

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:What terrible timing. by CubicleView · · Score: 3, Funny

      You should call it a WMD.

      Since your lady probably has trouble finding it....

    2. Re:What terrible timing. by dbcad7 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Too much to remember .. why not just use your slashdot user name ?

      --
      waiting for ad.doubleclick.net
    3. Re:What terrible timing. by mcgrew · · Score: 1, Funny

      You could name it after your game console, perhaps calling it the Wii Wii.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
  2. Superconducting Plasma Rocket Engine? by MBGMorden · · Score: 3, Funny

    Superconducting Plasma Rocket Engine?

    Sounds like it oughta be able to make at least Warp 3.

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    1. Re:Superconducting Plasma Rocket Engine? by Spy+Handler · · Score: 2, Funny

      Nah, more like impulse engine... warp speed would have to involve some kind of space-time bending.

      "Full impulse power."

      "No sir! You have Genesis! You can have whatever..."

      "Full impulse power! Damn you!"

  3. Checklist by Bakkster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Superconducting: check
    Plasma: check
    Rocket: check
    Linux:

    Three for four isn't bad.

    --
    Write your representatives! Repeal the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics!
  4. Re:High Thrust, High Specific Impulse (Isp) by Bat+Country · · Score: 4, Funny

    I know where I work I am drowning a deluge of people who never crack a book...

    I commend you for your efforts in stamping out illiteracy.

    --
    The land shall stone them with the bread of his son.
  5. Re:High Thrust, High Specific Impulse (Isp) by JumperCables233 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have to say that I reject your theory that ion engines are low-thrust, since I happen to know for a fact that a single-man spacecraft with a Twin Ion Engine is capable of 1,200 km/hr and an acceleration of 4,100 G. Please refer to: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/TIE/ln_starfighter Thank you for your time. Let's keep things grounded in reality, people!