The new rocket is named Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). A traditional rocket can produce a specific impulse of around 450 seconds, or in other words 1 pound of thrust from 1 pound of fuel for 450 seconds. VASIMR can produce several times this amount, cutting a trip to Mars from 6 to 9 months with conventional rockets down to a mere 2 to 3 months. It could do this by being able to burn fuel continuously the whole trip accelerating on the first half of the journey to Mars and decelerating on the second leg of the journey, preparing to enter orbit.
Engineering is the art of making what you want from what you can get at a profit.
These bleeding edge ideas are damned kewl, but we've had high-thrust high-Isp rockets for going on 50 years now. We just refuse to use them. I'd rather fire up a Nuclear Light Bulb and just get moving.
Or a Nuclear Salt Water Rocket, or perhaps ye olde boom boom , if you don't care about the neighbors.
The new rocket is named Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). A traditional rocket can produce a specific impulse of around 450 seconds, or in other words 1 pound of thrust from 1 pound of fuel for 450 seconds. VASIMR can produce several times this amount, cutting a trip to Mars from 6 to 9 months with conventional rockets down to a mere 2 to 3 months. It could do this by being able to burn fuel continuously the whole trip accelerating on the first half of the journey to Mars and decelerating on the second leg of the journey, preparing to enter orbit.
I actually met Mr. Chang-Diaz when I toured JSC in 2006 (the setup in the linked article picture). He's a very engaging individual, and loves to explain how it all works. We actually got to see them fire up the plasma for a test, which was *extremely cool.*
Anyway, I'm glad to see this idea hasn't dropped off the map despite getting their NASA funding axed.
Of course, without either a small, light, fission RX or a polywell, the idea is more of a theory than a workable method of propulsion. It'd make a good, quick bridge method of propulsion while you're trying to figure out how to actually do high-thrust R.E.B. or other relativistic-exhaust engines.
Tom.Cuddihy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Faith is the foundation of reason.
