Space Zoo Patrol – In-Space Electric Propulsion 

By  Ad Astra Rocket Company, Communications Team

1. What is the name of the technology?
   The VASIMR engine, which stands for Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket, provides in-space electric propulsion.

2. What does it do?
   The VASIMR engine is an advanced, high-power, electric plasma rocket engine. Our current space economy consists of two major engine types, chemical rocket engines and electric rocket engines. Chemical rocket engines or “launchers” are the ones most people are familiar with; this is the only way to launch off the ground to get to space. Chemical rockets are powerful, high thrust, but not very fuel efficient, which makes them great for launching but limited when it comes to in-space transportation and logistics. Electric rockets on the other hand, do not work in Earth’s atmosphere and are exclusive to in-space transportation, they are typically lower power but very fuel efficient! The VASIMR engine to some degree is the best of both worlds; while it is an electric rocket that only works in-space and is extremely fuel efficient, the difference is that it is high-power, which means that the types of transportation and logistics missions we can perform are far more numerous and diverse. Another element that is important when considering our engine, is its versatility, because it has the ability to perform Variable Specific Impulse. Specific Impulse is just the speed and temperature at which an exhaust is exiting a rocket engine, most rockets have a set Specific Impulse but, because of our design, we can change ours based on the propellant we use and other factors, making it customizable to our clients.
3. How does it work?
   We take a gas, typically testing is performed with Argon but we can use several types of gases (hydrogen, helium, Krypton, Neon, or even a mix), and super heat it using radio frequency waves, turning it into a plasma (plasma, the 4th state of matter, is just super- heated gas). We then use a combination of our proprietary design, superconducting magnets, and those same RF waves to move the plasma through the rocket core until it exits as an exhaust.
4. How is it better than the older technology?
   All the technology I previously mentioned (chemical rocket engines and low-power electric rocket engines) will still be needed as we continue to expand into space, the VASIMR technology is simply a powerful, fuel efficient, and cost effective engine that will allow us to do more and travel further in space. The VASIMR engine, due to its design, is able to perform missions and complete tasks that the other two technologies are unable to. We think of the VASIMR as an addition to the current space economy/ecosystem, that will make it more complete, allowing customers (government and private) to choose which technology or which combination of technologies will be best for their mission. Unlike existing technology, our engine has the ability to provide a more sustainable and robust solution for major space issues like: Space Debris Removal, Asteroid Deflection, Heavy-Cargo transport, and Deep Space Missions. It is important to note that the engine is electric and therefore can use different electric power sources, such as: solar panels and, as they become available for space, nuclear electric power.

5. What classes should I take in school to work on this?
   The space industry needs people from all professions and fields of study! You could study anything from art, to law, to communications, to engineering, to physics, to medicine and still be able to work in the space industry and/or at Ad Astra Rocket Company. You should study what you are interested in, that is the best way to excel!
6. Pictures