Hydrogen-Powered NASA VASIMR to Be Tested on ISS

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by admin Two days ago I talked about jetpacks so today I thought I would speak a bit about rocket science in outer space. According to FlightGlobal, NASA is close to announcing the testing of their hydrogen-powered plasma fueled VASIMR engine on the International Space Station (ISS). The next step will be a scale model test of VASIMR but no date has been given. The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket or VASIMR could be in line for a mission to Mars if all goes well on the ISS. According to NASA, “Although the VASIMR could operate with waste hydrogen gas from the space station, no connections to this supply are planned for the experiment … Hydrogen is the primary choice for propellant but deuterium and helium are also of interest and might also be included.” Also, according to NASA... [read full story]