The Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center has been engaged in the development of a variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket (V ASIMR) for several years. This type of rocket could be used in the future to propel interplanetary spacecraft and has the potential to open the entire solar system to human exploration. One feature of this propulsion technology is the ability to vary its specific impulse so that it can be operated in a mode that maximizes propellant efficiency or a mode that maximizes thrust. Variation of specific impulse and thrust enhances the ability to optimize interplanetary trajectories and results in shorter trip times and lower propellant requirements than with a fixed specific impulse. In its ultimate application for interplanetary travel, the VASIMR would be a multi-megawatt device. A much lower power system is being designed for demonstration in the 2004 timeframe. This first space demonstration would employ a lO-kilowatt thruster aboard a solar powered spacecraft in Earth orbit. The 1O-kilowatt V ASIMR demonstration unit would operate for a period of several months with hydrogen or deuterium propellant with a specific impulse of 10,000 seconds.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Flight Demonstration of Plasma Rocket Propulsion


    Contributors:
    A. Petro (author) / F. Chang-Diaz (author) / W. I. Schwenterly (author) / M. Hitt (author) / J. Lepore (author)

    Publication date :

    2000


    Size :

    6 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    A Flight Demonstration of Plasma Rocket Propulsion

    Petro, A. / Diaz, F. C. / Carter, M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000



    A Flight Demonstration of Plasma Rocket Propulsion

    Petro, Andrew / Chang-Diaz, Franklin / Schwenterly, WIlliam et al. | NTRS | 2000


    A flight demonstration of plasma rocket propulsion

    Petro, Andrew / Chang-Diaz, Franklin / Carter, Mark et al. | AIAA | 2000


    Rocket propulsion systems for interplanetary flight

    Sutton, G.P. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1959