VASIMR Updates

[annodomini2]

So its 0.000025% efficient, that was worth the investment then.

 

[Jazman1985]

How do you figure 0.000025% efficiency. I'm pretty sure they have claimed an acheivement of 60-70% for all of their engines so far.

 

[access]

Here's an article from popsci
I never realized VASIMR was so big.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-10/fast-lane-mars

 

[EarthlingX]

Here is a related thread with some more or duplicated VASIMR info, links and some pictures. You will also find comparison of different power source configurations, and thrust figures.
VASIMR based spaceship for heliosphere

 

[jakethesnake]

I noticed two items that showed up on the Ad Astra website this morning, one item is a pretty cool illustration in the New York Time, and the other item is an article, but its in Spanish titled - Challenges of Plasma Engine.

There is little problem here… I can’t read Spanish… so I would appreciate it if someone that can read Spanish would see if there is any new information and or insight that can be gathered from this article.

From the New York Times

10 27, 29

Science Illustrated \ A Faster Journey to Mars

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/ ... ef=science



From NACION.COM/ALDEA GLOBAL

Challenges of Plasma Engine

Costa Rica, Domingo 25 de octubre de 2009

BY DEBBIE PONCHNER

http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/octubr ... 34519.html

 

[docm]

VERY nice piece in the Times, and a great image for my collection

 

[jakethesnake]

VERY nice piece in the Times, and a great image for my collection

Glad you liked it docm.

Also, I used a translation tool on Google and it translated the Spanish article to English, and although it’s not perfect… it worked pretty well I think… :idea:

From NACION.COM/ALDEA GLOBAL

Challenges of Plasma Engine

Costa Rica, Domingo 25 de octubre de 2009

BY DEBBIE PONCHNER

http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/octubr ... 34519.html

Google Translated article from above.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u ... n&ie=UTF-8

 

[nimbus]

Are those new Magnifye magnets going to be any use to Ad Astra?

 

[docm]

Dunno. If the power can be varied once it's superconducting then yes. That is needed to adjust the field for varying the impulse and maintaining a stable plasma shape. It certainly has the potential to lighten VASIMR more than a little.

 

[EarthlingX]

I wonder how much tech developed for nuclear fusion, could be used in this engine ?
They use pretty nasty magnets for containment field.

 

[docm]

The proposed evolution of VASIMR is for it to be turned into a fusion rocket. That's obviously a ways down the road, but such a device would be a fascinating development.

 

[jakethesnake]

The proposed evolution of VASIMR is for it to be turned into a fusion rocket. That's obviously a ways down the road, but such a device would be a fascinating development.

You never know docm... they might be closer then you think???

Check out the NIF!

https://lasers.llnl.gov/

 

[jakethesnake]

Here is an executive summary put out by Ad Astra, dated 11/05/09; this is basically a business plan capitalizing on what they have achieved thus far.

There are some major hurtles that Ad Astra has to overcome… I will address these specifically in my next few posts.

These hurtles are major, and might not be something that Ad Astra can achieve in the near future…

http://www.adastrarocket.com/EXECUTIVE% ... 051109.pdf

 

[jakethesnake]

It looks like this thread is going to be shelved for awhile unless Ad Astra can overcome some technical hurdles.

For one… the latest VX200 milestone that achieved 200 kW did so for less than a second due to the extreme heat that is generated.

The superconducting magnets of the VX200 needs to operate at a temperature of -278 ° C. and even though the superconducting magnets contains most of the heat there is the problem of some of the heat radiating out and spreading throughout the system.

So Ad Astra is challenged with coming up with a way to keep components that are only inches away from extremely hot plasma from overheating without disrupting the radiofrequency waves that are use to heat the gas.

Good luck on that one!!! Not sure if they will get this ironed out by 2013 when VASIMR is expected to be tested aboard the ISS???

Also, I noticed Ad Astra has changed their website… not sure if I like it.

I will continue to update this thread as new information is released but I think there will be few at best!

 

[EarthlingX]

We were chewing upcoming VASIMR ISS test here:
VASIMR Plasma Engine ISS test plans
with a couple of diversions

I'm not sure if it qualifies as an update, but i hope it fits topic.

 

[jakethesnake]

Thanks for the info. EarthlingX

I must have missed that one... I find it interesting that the magnetic system of two engines incur torque and that they need to cancel it out.

I’m not sure if the torque they refer to applies to the plasma or that the engines actually generate torque which would affect the movement of the ISS.

From the Ad Astra website.

http://www.adastrarocket.com/aarc/VASIMRISS

The VX-200 will provide the critical data set to build the VF-200-1, the first flight unit, to be tested in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It will consist of two 100 kW units with opposite magnetic dipoles, resulting in a zero-torque magnetic system. The electrical energy will come from ISS at low power level, be stored in batteries and used to fire the engine at 200 kW. The VF-200-1 project will serve as a “pathfinder” for the ISS National Laboratory by demonstrating a new class of larger, more complex science and technology payloads.

Hopefully Ad Astra will post updates as to their progress in solving the issue of heat radiation as well as posting their technical milestones as they occur.

 

[Astro_Robert]

The phrase specifically mentions 'zero-torque magnetic system', thus implying that the described torque is due to the magnetic field generated by the plasma. It implies that the two engines' magnetic fields are adjusted to cancel this effect, presumably to cancel it on the environment outside the engines and their mounting (ie so as not to apply magnetic stress to the ISS).

At least thats what I get out of it.

 

[docm]

H0LD THE FRICKIN' PHONE!!!!!!

SpaceRef link...

NASA JSC Solicitation: Variable Specific Impulse Magento-Plasma Rocket - VASIMR

STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, January 29, 2010
Source: Johnson Space Center

Synopsis - Jan 21, 2010

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNJ10323967R
Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Current Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Classification Code: H -- Quality control, testing and inspection services
NAICS Code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH

Description

NASA/JSC has a requirement for the acquisition of services to update a magnet fixture with an additional cryocooler for conduction cooling and to eliminate the liquid cyrogen cooling system in preparation for crycooler testing in vacuum and magnetic field combined environments. In addition, Studies will be conducted to evaluate a Lunar Tug concept utilizing Variable Specific Impulse Magneto-plasma Rocket (VASIMR) engine capabilities from Low Earth Orbit to Lunar Orbit and libration points.

NASA/JSC intends to purchase these services from Ad Astra Rocket Company. This is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 for the acquisition of supplies and services determined to be reasonably available from only one source. Ad Astra Rocket Company holds the exclusive right to develop VASIMR technologies under NASA patent applications. Adequate relevant cooling of the High Temperature Superconducting(HTSC) magnets require the conversion of the original HTSC magnet facility to utilize space-relevant cryo-cooler technology that has not yet been utilized under conditions that are relevant to VASIMR operation in space. Ad Astra Rocket Company uniquely possesses the patent rights and institutional memory necessary to make this test fixture relevant to VASIMR technologies.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on February 8, 2010. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".

Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.

Point of Contact

Name: Cheryl D. Bass
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 281-483-3476
Fax: 281-483-7890
Email: cheryl.d.bass@nasa.gov

Name: Vanessa R. Beene
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-244-5257
Fax: 281-244-5331
Email: vanessa.r.beene@nasa.gov

 

[EarthlingX]

OH YES :lol:

 

[jakethesnake]

WOW… Great find docm maybe I was wrong… I sure hope so.

It looks like some REAL muscle is being thrown behind VASIMR!

 

[moreandless]

great news!! have been sending mail to high places urging the development of this tech
did someone say that it would require 600 tons of fuel to do the proposed quick turnaround
mars flight?

 

[Valcan]

Heck yea!

Thats what im talkin about. Good find dude!

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Here's a new article on SDC. Good article, no new info.
New Rocket Engine Could Reach Mars in 40 Days

 

[rockett]

The article says 200 MW of power required for the trip. Not so far fetched actually there's a nice little reactor (1.5 m wide) for private use available in 2013 that makes 25 MW and is nice and small by Hyperion:
http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/

Would only take 8 of them put in orbit and hooked up for the trip. So technically it's feasable with today's technology, provided we could loft them...

 

[pathfinder_01]

The article says 200 MW of power required for the trip. Not so far fetched actually there's a nice little reactor (1.5 m wide) for private use available in 2013 that makes 25 MW and is nice and small by Hyperion:
http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/

Would only take 8 of them put in orbit and hooked up for the trip. So technically it's feasable with today's technology, provided we could loft them...

Actually there is a need for r/d into space based nuclear reactors. It is something to do with the cooling, basicaly the reactors on earth are designed for earth(1 g) not space(no g, and the perfect insulator). However that one might not be far from being able to be put in space if the ad is true. The company web site mentioned a 25W one that could be ready by 2014 and is probably more suited to spaceflight.