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VASIMR Ion Engine Could Cut Mars Trip To 39 Days

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'll-believe-when-i-ride-it dept.

An anonymous reader writes "It would take about 39 days to reach Mars, compared to six months by conventional rocket power. 'This engine is in fact going to be tested on the International Space Station, launched about 2013,' astronaut Chris Hadfield said. The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR®) system encompasses three linked magnetic cells. The 'Plasma Source' cell involves the main injection of neutral gas (typically hydrogen, or other light gases) to be turned into plasma and the ionization subsystem. The 'RF Booster' cell acts as an amplifier to further energize the plasma to the desired temperature using electromagnetic waves. The 'Magnetic Nozzle' cell converts the energy of the plasma into directed motion and ultimately useful thrust."

10 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. Billions and billions... by GenP · · Score: 5, Funny

    A few hundred Newtons here, a few hundred Newtons there, and pretty soon you're talking about some real delta-v!

  2. Sound by whisper_jeff · · Score: 4, Funny

    But does this process create feedback over communications systems to create cool sound effects as the ship whooshes by?

    Sorry. Star Wars geek moment...

  3. Re:Tag as SLASHVERTISEMENT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, I was totally going to go for one of those conventional rockets for my trip to Mars, but now I'm seriously considering a VASIMR Ion Engine.

  4. Please, please, PLEASE... by Kirin+Fenrir · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let the common name be "impulse engines".

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  5. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  6. Re:I'm dizzy. by click2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You could have travelled those 800 miles in 4 hours with a VASMIR Ion Drive.

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  7. Re:Tag as SLASHVERTISEMENT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    For 10 years now, I'm commuting to work with my old Ford Pinto.
    Until I read the ad in the news paper and decided it was time for a change.
    Now I'm owning on of the modern cars with a VASIMR Ion Engine and have cut my commuting time down by 105 percent. And with the money saved I'm buying a new house, yacht, motorbike and wife.
    And when my boss saw my new VASIMR ion engine has gave me a raise and promoted me !

    Thanks VASIMR ion engine cooperation, your incredible product saved the day and changed my life for the better !

  8. 4 out of 5 astronauts surveyed by bl8n8r · · Score: 5, Funny

    preferred 39 days of abstinence to 6 months!

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  9. Re:CANADA ROCKS!!!! Woooh by Bob-taro · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh good point ... so is it 39 days or, ahem, 39 Canadian days ...

    That's 39 Metric days. To convert to American days, you double it and add 30.

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  10. Re:No quite yet. by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 4, Funny

    yes but if we use all the comets, where will we get the ice without bugs in it to cool the oceans to combat global warming?

    I think we Oort to have enough.

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