Concept art, shows the VASIMR engine powering a moon mission. (Source: Ad Astra)
The VASIMR engine is of an electric rocket design. This type of rocket is trickier to perfect, but performs better than a chemical rocket, with increased speed, lower costs, and better safety. (Source: Ad Astra)
A VASIMR engine is shown here in action, generating plasma thrust. (Source: Ad Astra)
Ad Astra envisions a rich market of spaceflight applications. (Source: Ad Astra)
Chang-Diaz于1979年创立了VASIMR引擎的概念.这项技术使用无线电波加热气体(如氢、氩、氖等),产生热等离子体.磁场迫使带电的等离子体从引擎后部喷出从而产生推力.和一般引擎相比,这种方法耗费的燃料较少,但喷射速度很高.因为设计上没有物理电极和等离子体接触,所以引擎寿命较长,功率密度也强于其它设计.
