VASIMR

George Perkins wrote:
> >
> What is "large" in space?

In the context of a space propulsion system, big enough
to add significant mass to the overall vehicle. Perhaps
upto a megawatt or so- maybe a square kilometer.

VASIMIR would have <1/2 the efficiency of DS1 because the
exhaust velocity is >2x greater. And DS1 had really puny
thrust levels at 2.5 kw of power. To get significantly
greater accelerations, the power plant has to scale
proportionately depending on how fast you need to
accelerate.

> Sounds like something a nuke lover would say.

Sounds like something someone who hasn't bothered to
do the maths would say... or a nuke hater.

> "It's just too darn big!"

For GEO sats where they just sit there, the mirror is a
great choice. I'm not at all clear whether it is appropriate
for VASIMIR; but if you think differently please show us
your designs.

> George

> --- In spacesettlers@y..., Ian Woollard wrote:
>
>>Ryan Healey wrote:
>>
>>>Its promising, not as good as Orion but a lot easier to do
>>>politically.
>>>
>>One of the enablers of VASIMIR is nuclear power- it's VERY power
>>thirsty. Whilst it could be run on solar power, the solar panels
>>
> would
>
>>have to be pretty large.
>>--
>>- Ian Woollard (ian.woollard@t...)
>>
>>"Is a planetary surface the right place for an expanding
>>
> technological
>
>>civilization?"
>>- Gerard O'Neill
>>
>

--
- Ian Woollard (ian.woollard@...)

"Is a planetary surface the right place for an expanding technological
civilization?"
- Gerard O'Neill