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Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIMENT

The first flight experiment using this new technology will involve a small, 10 kW solar powered spacecraft. Lofted with a VASIMR engine to several thousand kilometers above the Earth, the craft will also make important scientific measurements of the Van Allen radiation belts that encircle our planet at those altitudes. These measurements are important, as human crews en route to Mars will have to be protected as they fly through these regions.

IMAGE: Flight Experiment
ISS Experiment
IMAGE: Proposed International Space Station demonstration of VASIMR engine.
A proposed International Space Station demonstration involves a 25-kilowatt solar powered VASIMR engine, which will be tested for future use to neutralize the atmospheric drag of the station.

Curator: Kim Dismukes | Responsible NASA Official: John Ira Petty | Updated: 07/01/2003
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