VASIMR plasma rocket breaks 200 kW in vacuum.

[Vulpes Abnocto]

Considering the group interest here, I thought you guys would find this information interesting.

(Forgive the formatting until I learn this forum software a bit better.)

Last Wednesday, the Ad Astra Rocket Company tested what is currently the most powerful plasma rocket in the world. As the Webster, Texas, company announced, the VASIMR VX-200 engine ran at 201 kilowatts in a vacuum chamber, passing the 200-kilowatt mark for the first time. The test also marks the first time that a small-scale prototype of the company\'s VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) rocket engine has been demonstrated at full power.

~PhysOrg.com

Source: http://phys.org/news174031552.html

[Kreuzung]

Definetly a cool engine. Watch it glowing on YT, it just looks cool.

If someone makes a model for it, I could add this to my coming soon plugin.

[karolus10]

I\'m very skeptical about VASIMIR... Chemical rockets work, NERVA engine\'s work very nice (i remember, even someone add them in own parts pack) , ion engines work pretty well (hall thrusters too), but VASIMIR ... isn\'t anything real for me (maybe for ~50 years but i really doubt in that) .

Definetly a cool engine. Watch it glowing on YT, it just looks cool.

If you like YT, see that

[Ydoow]

201Kw seems like very little :C

[Tiberion]

... but VASIMIR ... isn\'t anything real for me (maybe for ~50 years but i really doubt in that)

Or you know, 1 year.. since its going to be strapped on the ISS to test in 2013 as an orbital booster.

Ydoow: Its a decent size for a small booster, and keep in mind this one is the small version; the one aimed at Mars would be 10Mn+

[bandit4910]

Or you know, 1 year.. since its going to be strapped on the ISS to test in 2013 as an orbital booster.

Ydoow: Its a decent size for a small booster, and keep in mind this one is the small version; the one aimed at Mars would be 10Mn+

Wait this is going to be included in the mars rocket?

Wow I did not know that...

Maybe we could get a mission a bit sooner now.

[Tiberion]

Wait this is going to be included in the mars rocket?

Wow I did not know that...

Maybe we could get a mission a bit sooner now.

Not in any specific Mars mission, they are planning a high-output version that COULD be used for Mars missions; it would cut the time down to 30ish days from 6 months.

Come on, did NO ONE ELSE read the article?

[Cthulufaic]

I assume this is for the European Space Program or whatever, considering NASA is put-putting around in a ditch.

[Capt'n Skunky]

Come on, did NO ONE ELSE read the article?

Read? We don\' need no stinkin\' readin\' around hee-ah!

Arrr!

Capt\'n Skunky

[Tiberion]

I assume this is for the European Space Program or whatever, considering NASA is put-putting around in a ditch.

Its in the article...

Private company, Ad Astra RcoketCo, in Webster, Texas, founded by former NASA Astronaunt Franklin Chang-Diaz

They have an agreement with NASA to test VASIMR on the ISS.

[karolus10]

Or you know, 1 year.. since its going to be strapped on the ISS to test in 2013 as an orbital booster.

Ydoow: Its a decent size for a small booster, and keep in mind this one is the small version; the one aimed at Mars would be 10Mn+

Yes, i know about it, but this engine will be pretty weak, only for station keeping and hall thrusters could be better deal for ISS (comparable power, proven in space - used in USSR satellites from early 70s without real failures). So I\'m still didn\'t believe that thanks to VASIMIR engine we could build spaceship able to reach Mars in 30-40 days like Ad-astra suggest : (this is like hairdryer manufacturer say that they own product could beat Turbofan engine without any problem).

EDIT1: Of course I\'m not wish worse for the VASIMIR, but it for long didn\'t be 'weapon of choice' of deep space exploration.

[Alfastar]

I\'m very skeptical about VASIMIR... Chemical rockets work, NERVA engine\'s work very nice (i remember, even someone add them in own parts pack) , ion engines work pretty well (hall thrusters too), but VASIMIR ... isn\'t anything real for me (maybe for ~50 years but i really doubt in that) .

If you like YT, see that

Me opinion is that VASIMIR have more chance to used in spaceflight then NERVA, who have already on day the NERVA project was started critique.

[bandit4910]

Yes, i know about it, but this engine will be pretty weak, only for station keeping and hall thrusters could be better deal for ISS (comparable power, proven in space - used in USSR satellites from early 70s without real failures). So I\'m still didn\'t believe that thanks to VASIMIR engine we could build spaceship able to reach Mars in 30-40 days like Ad-astra suggest : (this is like hairdryer manufacturer say that they own product could beat Turbofan engine without any problem).

EDIT1: Of course I\'m not wish worse for the VASIMIR, but it for long didn\'t be 'weapon of choice' of deep space exploration.

I have a question...

Is English your second language?

[karolus10]

Yes, English is my second (or third ,if consider German) language (i\'m Polish, BTW) and doesn\'t speak too well yet. But I\'m still learning and try improve my English skill .

[Agamemnon]

Or you know, 1 year.. since its going to be strapped on the ISS to test in 2013 as an orbital booster.

Ydoow: Its a decent size for a small booster, and keep in mind this one is the small version; the one aimed at Mars would be 10Mn+

- afaik, already moved to the right... no launch date specified... not in 2013

- it needs power source... we have no power source (light enough) which is able to produce 200kW in space (the iss solar arrays - they are big and heavy - give about 200kW, iirc)... it is hard to imagine, we will develop a power source strong enough to use with this (or 10MW)

- if we develop a power source strong enough, there are electric engines more efficient than vasimr (vasimr is unique because it can change its mode of operation between higher thrust or higher efficiency)

[Tiberion]

- afaik, already moved to the right... no launch date specified... not in 2013

- it needs power source... we have no power source (light enough) which is able to produce 200kW in space (the iss solar arrays - they are big and heavy - give about 200kW, iirc)... it is hard to imagine, we will develop a power source strong enough to use with this (or 10MW)

- if we develop a power source strong enough, there are electric engines more efficient than vasimr (vasimr is unique because it can change its mode of operation between higher thrust or higher efficiency)

Well yeah, we all know that launch dates are pushed. But its not 50 years from being useful.

The solar arrays will work for the ISS booster, as it also uses a battery; battery soaks small charges off the panels until full, then VASIMR has power for 20 minutes of boosting. Rince, repeat.

It may face the same problems of all of the ion/electric engines, but it solves a few of them, and is showing real promise. No need to be down on it yet

[karolus10]

Me opinion is that VASIMIR have more chance to used in spaceflight then NERVA, who have already on day the NERVA project was started critique.

You must notice that, NERVA project has been canceled, not because of engine performance but as a result of cancellation Apollo program and further plans of mars exploration, also because idea of putting radioactive components inside spacecraft engines is very unpopular. This second reason is quite ridiculous, because ever if heavy lifter blow up during launch, reactor casing should stay fairly intact, and debris sunk in ocean... and finally launching large 100-300MW nuclear reactors for VASIMIR isn\'t pretty safe idea too (if we follow this point of view ). Anyway, US and Russians was launching RTG generators (last one power up Curiosity rover) in space since Apollo and anyone complain about that.

[Agamemnon]

Well yeah, we all know that launch dates are pushed. But its not 50 years from being useful.

The solar arrays will work for the ISS booster, as it also uses a battery; battery soaks small charges off the panels until full, then VASIMR has power for 20 minutes of boosting. Rince, repeat.

yes, i guess, it will work for the iss, as it would be an experiment... i just think it has its share of problems, starting with power supply in space... hence i can see a few problems with it being used as a propulsion system for mars mission - but then, by the time a mars mission will be performed, everything can be changed...

we should wait and we will see, i guess :-)

[sneakeypete]

Someone who\'s more versed in the operating principals of this engine than me: is this more mass efficient than chemical rockets?

[trbinsc]

Am I the only one who noticed that the article was from 2009?

[Tiberion]

Am I the only one who noticed that the article was from 2009?

Nah we\'ve had this article linked before, and others following up on it like this one: http://phys.org/news/2011-07-zubrin-vasimr-hoax.html

which details some of the hurdles remaining for it to be useful for Mars. The comments are especially interesting, like the suggestion that a large lightweight solar array might provide the 20Mw needed easier than a reactor (it would need to be assembled in space, of course)

Not too surprising that the Obama administration touts it as absolutely crucial for Mars missions, since they need to justify the money, but I\'d rather not let government schmuckery keep me from being interested in something that might have merit on its own.

[Agamemnon]

Someone who\'s more versed in the operating principals of this engine than me: is this more mass efficient than chemical rockets?

i am not sure what you mean by 'more mass efficient'...

this engine (and every other electric propulsion, eg. hall thrusters) are more fuel efficient (much more)... but these engines have really tiny thrust comparing to chemical engines (kerolox, hydrolox, hypergolics) and thus can not be used to launch a rocket, just to propel one already in space...

[Rascal Nag]

I assume this is for the European Space Program or whatever, considering NASA is put-putting around in a ditch.

No, it\'s being worked on by NASA.

[Agamemnon]

No, it\'s being worked on by NASA.

no, not by nasa... by a private company... nasa worked on it some years ago, but then this private company has been created and it continues with the development (the company has signed an saa with nasa)

[Tiberion]

NASA is definitely still funding it heavily, as shown by Obama saying it was critical for any plans to go to Mars with a manned mission. (No better way to excuse funding than saying we can\'t live without it, right?)