NASA is to investigate a VASIMR propelled lunar tug concept according to a procurement synopsis it published last week. The video above can be found here along with other videos about the tug concept. The NASA synopsis says:
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.
The VASIMR was conceived by former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz and developed through his Ad Astra Rocket company. Chang Diaz's company and Houston, Texas based-MEI Technologies released a press release last week qouting MEI's chief executive Ed Muñiz saying:
"Ad Astra's impressive technology coupled with our payload integration capabilities will ultimately result in innovative cargo and supply mechanisms, greater access to resources and broader support for robotic and human missions in space," [emphasis added]
The text above, italicised by this blog, indicated something interesting was going on. Hyperbola is still waiting for a response to its request for an interview. New propulsion technologies have been mentioned by NASA administrator Charles Bolden as a focus for the space agency
on January 25, 2010 1:43 PM | Reply
What would the trip time be? I know that VASIMR shortens the trip to Mars, but with the low impulse, I would have thought that a trip to the Moon would be a slower outward spiral. Is that true, or would even this short a trip be quicker than with a chemical rocket? I certainly like the reusable nature of this design, and hope that some of the crap orbiting the earth doesn't knock out the huge arrays over time.
on January 25, 2010 1:57 PM | Reply
The technology to go to Mars is generations ahead of where VASIMIR is now. A Mars trip would involve nuclear thermal or nuclear electric reactors and power levels way beyond Franklin Chang Diaz's work today. For the Moon it would be a very slow boat and I am pretty sure that for the power availability with solar cells and the resulting speed it would not be faster than chemical. This is a slow boat for cargo only that would push itself from LEO to Low Lunar Orbit or from one Earth orbit to another and would occasionally need refuelling, so you'll need an on-orbt servicing capability. I suppose it could push robotic probes to Mars too or any of the outer planets.
on January 25, 2010 2:00 PM | Reply
the clip suggests an one-trip vehicle, so, it's NOT a "tug", also, it doesn't look "simpler and cheaper" but much more complex and expensive than a classic chemical rocket... I feel there is more than something wrong in the concept proposed in this video
on January 25, 2010 6:43 PM | Reply
VASIMR....not VASIMIR. Only one "I"
on January 25, 2010 8:13 PM | Reply
I agree that this technology is currently not even in its infancy yet (pre-natal?) but the potential to develop a low-waste lunar orbit transfer system with VASIMR is huge. Fewer expendables = less hazard and lower cost and orders of magnitude more sustainability then the current school of thought. We'd be foolish not to pursue this technology full tilt.
on January 26, 2010 1:07 AM | Reply
oops!
on January 26, 2010 11:57 AM | Reply
What are they thinking! NASA will not undertake any manned trips to the Moon in the next twenty to thirty years. A study like this is only to keep those poor engineers busy and a lot of space freaks (like me) happy (somewhat) for a while. Honestly, we should know better.
on March 9, 2010 3:07 PM | Reply
Robbie, I will start by thanking you for maintaining a blog site always at the cutting edge of what is happening.
Nonetheless you have managed to confuse me (and I happen to be a Rocket Scientist!) so my comment is about your latest post on VASIMR. I love tech and I love Astros like Chiang-Diaz so believe me that I am on-board.
But a word of caution from the 'old man of the sea'.
At 200kw the gadget will drain all power from ISS except minimal services. How many hours per day(sic) can one do this?
And when ANYONE talks about 200MWats of power to go to Mars I am determined to put them over my knee and spank them!
The bottom-line...the CONSPIRACY is that humans will never reach Mars this century.
To those involved this deserves more than a spanking.
on March 19, 2010 4:45 PM | Reply
I personally think the VASIMR is a great idea and I glad that its coming to fruition. NASA should have been developing this technology ages ago. I think an enlarged version engine would be very useful for the International Space Station and I definetely think as a Lunar Tug it would be very useful. I just hope it becomes reality. As a lunar tug its far more effective than using standard rocket engines that are mega heavy and need a massive rocket to launh it.
on April 16, 2010 1:02 AM | Reply
I will say what I have always said in the past. Why not
put a nuclear sub in space and then we have all the electricity need.
Cover the hull with solar panels as a back up put a spin on it to simulate gravity and voila we have a new era in space flight...We can leave it docked at the ISS, call dude from extreme makeover to remodel the inside and add a few bells and whistles add a
saucer section to the top put VASMIRs on it and then develop transporter technology...
Seriously, how many explorers died on the way to the new world
Their loss was not in vain (see the western hemisphere for results)
Why debate When we will be gettting there. Why not try with today's tech to even see if it is feasible... If we can send a robot to Mars I am pretty sure we can send a few ape descended people there for a little year long excursion.