Category: plasma

The next generation of space engines….

The story is here and it’s actually quite exciting. The key is VASMIR. Money quote:

Engine work has been underway for more than 25 years, and is based on NASA and U.S. Department of Energy research and development in plasma physics and space propulsion technology. Commercializing the VASIMR electric propulsion engine is the flagship project of Ad Astra, which has been in business for nine years and has invested $30 million to date to mature the concept. [Superfast Propulsion Concepts (Images)]

The driver for this engine is electric power which could be generated either by solar or a nuclear reactor. First practical application may well be the periodic boosts of the International Space Station required to maintain its low-earth orbit.

John Holdren on Fusion Energy

From ScienceInsider….

John Holdren, Obama’s science advisor, is actively supporting new investment in developing fusion energy as a carbon-free alternative source. He’s a fusion alum and so am I–just out of college, I interned for the New England congressional delegation looking at the possibility of developing fusion–the question then, as now, was containing a plasma efficiently. It’s not an easy nut to crack.
But if we were to crack it, it would really open up significant technological solution strategies to dealing with anthropogenic climate change.
Jim