ISS VASIMR

On 28.07.2010 16:34, brooksn wrote:
>
> > Edward,
> >
> > the 'electric rocket engine', or Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster
> (MPDT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoplasmadynamic_thruster would,
> indeed provide ample propulsion for such craft, as would the Variable
> Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR)
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Specific_Impulse_Magnetoplasma_Rocket.
> Both provide good thrust for a high speed mission to other planets,
> moons or belts, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said that VASIMR
> technology could be the breakthrough technology that would reduce the
> travel time on a Mars mission from months to days. In order to be
> effective, however, both will require an onboard nuclear reactor ( of
> the basic naval type adapted for use in space.

What if you would have a hybrid movable Space-based-Solar-Power-Station
with nearly double the solar cell area as the ISS features?
Wouldn't the reference design with 3120 sqm be able, to provide enough
power for such drives, which makes a nuclear reactor unnecessary?
The craft shown in the following link would not need to provide the
power for human needs in space and could use it for propulsion and other
reasons.

This one here is deploy able in one single launch:
http://solar-thruster-sailor.info/PresentationISSS2010V13.pdf

It is thought as a demonstrator for the transmission of energy from
space to Earth. Since it features hybrid propulsion and a large docking
station for daughter units, docking able daughter thruster units could
refuel them just by docking a new thruster unit in again.
So it would be possible, to build up a robotic/tele-operated transport
space infra structure.

Best wishes

Frank

The VASIMR has the