VASIMR Plasma Drive Hits Rated Power in Bench Test

I've mentioned the technology before, and now it appears that the VASIMR plasma drive has hit a major milestone in the lab. The first stage (helicon) of the system has hit its rated 30 KW power.

Thrust levels are relatively low, though they are high compared to something like Ion, around 10N in low ISP mode, and in the 100mN range in high ISP mode.

The developer of this technology, Ad Astra Rocket Company, hopes to get a space-rated model to the ISS in the next few years to validate performance in space.

Picture pr0n:

Lab picture


VASIMR Space Craft Concept

I believe that the spacecraft shown uses nuclear power for propulsion requirements.