The Evolution of the VASIMR Engine

Our future deep space explorers face many daunting challenges but three of these loom high above the rest: Physiological debilitation, radiation sickness and psychological stress. Many countermeasures are presently being considered to ameliorate these difficulties however, in the long run, two important new developments are required: abundant space power and advanced propulsion. The development of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) addresses these important areas of need. The VASIMR is a high power, radio frequency-driven magneto plasma rocket, capable of very high exhaust velocities. In addition, its unique architecture allows in-flight mission-optimization of thrust and specific impulse to enhance performance and reduce trip time. A NASA-led, research team, involving industry, academia and government facilities is pursuing the development of this concept in the United States. The technology can be validated, in the near term, in venues such as the International Space Station, where it can also serve as both a drag compensation device and a plasma contactor for the orbital facility. Other near-Earth applications in the commercial and scientific satellite sectors are also envisioned. This presentation covers the present status of the technology, plans for its near term deployment and a vision for its future evolution

Plasma Heating Simulation in the VASIMR System

The paper describes the recent development in the simulation of the ion-cyclotron acceleration of the plasma in the VASIMR experiment. The modeling is done using an improved EMIR code for RF field calculation together with particle trajectory code for plasma transport calculat ion. The simulation results correlate with experimental data on the p lasma loading and predict higher ICRH performance for a higher density plasma target. These simulations assist in optimizing the ICRF anten na so as to achieve higher VASIMR efficiency

The Vasimr Engine: Project Status and Recent Accomplishments

The development of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) was initiated in the late 1970s to address a critical requirement for fast, high-power interplanetary space transportation. While not being a fusion rocket, it nevertheless borrows heavily from that technology and takes advantage of the natural topology of open-ended magnetic systems. In addition to its high power density and high exhaust velocity, VASIMR is capable of "constant power throttling" a feature, which allows in-flight mission-optimization of thrust and specific impulse to enhance performance and reduce trip time. A NASA-led, research team, involving industry, academia and government facilities is pursuing the development of this concept in the United States. The technology can be validated, in the near term, in venues such as the International Space Station, where it can also serve as both a drag compensation device and a plasma contactor for the orbital facility. Other near-Earth applications in the commercial and scientific satellite sectors are also envisioned. This presentation covers the evolution of the VASIMR concept to its present status, as well as recent accomplishments in our understanding of the physics. Approaches and collaborative programs addressing the major technical challenges will also be presented

Validating A Plasma Momentum Flux Sensor Against an Inverted Pendulum Thrust Stand

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76115/1/AIAA-2008-4739-514.pd

Hall Thruster and VASIMR VX-100 Force measurements using a Plasma Momentum Flux Sensor

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76509/1/AIAA-2009-246-125.pd

Characterization of Ion Cyclotron Resonance Acceleration for Electric Propulsion with Interferometery

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90620/1/AIAA-48087-936.pd

ISS Space Plasma Laboratory: An ISS instrument package for investigating the opening/closing of solar and heliospheric magnetic fields

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140428/1/6.2014-1422.pd

Improved Efficiency and Throttling Range of the VX-200 Magnetoplasma Thruster

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140438/1/1.b34801.pd

Validating a Plasma Momentum Flux Sensor to an Inverted Pendulum Thrust Stand

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76451/1/AIAA-35706-298.pd

The VASIMR[registered trademark] VF-200-1 ISS Experiment as a Laboratory for Astrophysics

The VASIMR[R] Flight Experiment (VF-200-1) will be tested in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in about four years. It will consist of two 100 kW parallel plasma engines with opposite magnetic dipoles, resulting in a near zero-torque magnetic system. 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 provide a unique opportunity on the ISS National Laboratory for astrophysicists and space physicists to study the dynamic evolution of an expanding and reconnecting plasma loop. Here, we review the status of the project and discuss our current plans for computational modeling and in situ observation of a dynamic plasma loop on an experimental platform in low-Earth orbit. The VF-200-1 project is still in the early stages of development and we welcome new collaborators