VASIMR on its way?

[matrix3]

I thought the VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) fell just short of Warp Drive on the scale of realism, but apparently not.

 

A July 6, 2009 press release from the company developing VASIMR in collaboration with NASA reads:

Ad Astra Rocket Company has successfully demonstrated operation of its VX-200 plasma engine first stage at full power and under superconducting conditions in tests conducted today at the company’s Houston laboratory.

 

On September 30, 2009:

Ad Astra Rocket Company’s VASIMR VX-200 rocket prototype reached its highly- coveted 200kW maximum power milestone at 11:59 am (CST) in tests conducted at the company’s Houston laboratory.

 

The DC power trace actually exceeded the design requirement by 1 kW and exhibited the clear signature of a well established plateau at peak power.

 

Any more knowledgeable rocketeers able to chime in on realism and when we might actually see a VASIMR powered mission around the solar system? (Nyrath, maybe? )

[Old Man]

Re: VASIMR on its way?

 

There's nothing unreal about it, but the main drawback is that it hasn't got the thrust to use for launch. So the question is, do you launch a VASIMR engine along with your interplanetary payload, or do you just put more fuel in the launch booster and let that do most of the work? It's still a great system but this question limits its applications somewhat.

 

Ideally what we'd do is launch a general-purpose VASIMR for use as a tug. But then it would have to have a nuclear power source, and that would rile up the hippies.

[Cancer]

Re: VASIMR on its way?

 

Psst. Take off the sock before you answer a real post.

[Yansuf]

Re: VASIMR on its way?

 

Psst. Take off the sock before you answer a real post.

 

Care to explain that?

[L. Marcus]

Re: VASIMR on its way?

 

Pie is a very delicious sock puppet account.

[Old Man]

Re: VASIMR on its way?

 

Was, anyway.