History

Early studies (1970s) [top]

In 1973, as a graduate student at MIT, Franklin Chang Díaz studied the behavior of super hot gases, called plasmas, as part of the quest for controlled thermonuclear fusion: the process that powers the sun and the stars as a source of power on Earth.

His PhD Thesis in 1977 involved the controlling and ducting of million degree plasmas, in magnetic structures called magnetic mirrors.

Later PhD studies were conducted in more complex geometries called magnetic divertors, important components in a power producing fusion reactor.

The simple magnetic mirror. Two coils of current (yellow) produce a field (blue lines), which can trap some of the charged particles that make up a plasma. Particles sufficiently hot can escape along the ends.

In the magnetic divertor, strategically positioned current loops can “peel” a bundle of the magnetic field lines from a magnetic structure, carrying the plasma away.

Early VASIMR^® development (1979) [top]

These ideas, later published in a paper entitled “A Supersonic Gas Target for a Bundle Divertor Plasma”, Nuclear Fusion, 22, (8) (1982), led to the concept for a plasma rocket, which initially was called the “Hybrid Plume Plasma Rocket.”.

The first written disclosure of the VASIMR^® engine was witnessed by NASA colleagues in early 1982 in Franklin's Log Book.

First experiments (1980s) [top]

First VASIMR^® experiment was conducted at MIT starting in 1983 on the magnetic mirror plasma device.

First VASIMR^® patent.

Refinements (1990s) [top]

Important refinements were introduced to the rocket concept, including the use of the “helicon” plasma source, which replaced the initial plasma gun originally envisioned and made the rocket completely “electrodeless” an extremely desirable feature to assure reliability and long life. A new patent was granted in 2002.

Years at NASA (1994-2005) [top]

In 1995, the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory (ASPL) was founded at NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston in the building of Sonny Carter Training Facility. The magnetic mirror device was brought from MIT. First plasma experiment in Houston was conducted using microwave plasma source. The collaboration with University of Houston, University of Texas at Austin, Rice University and other academic institutions was established.

Dr. Squire and Dr. Chang Díaz begin laboratory operation at NASA in 1994.

Early VASIMR^® experiment at NASA.

From VX-10 to VX-50 [top]

In 1998, the first helicon plasma experiment was performed at the ASPL. The decision was made regarding official name of VASIMR^® engine and VASIMR^® experiment (VX). VX-10 in 1998 ran up to 10 kW helicon discharge, VX-25 in 2002 ran up to 25 kW and VX-50 - up to 50 kW of RF plasma discharge. In March, 2000, the VASIMR^® group was given a Rotary National Award for Space Achievement / Stellar Award. By 2005 major breakthroughs were obtained at the ASPL including full and efficient plasma production, and acceleration of the plasma ions in the second stage of the rocket.

New company is born (2005) [top]

Ad Astra Rocket Company was incorporated in Delaware on Jan 14, 2005. On June 23, 2005, Ad Astra and NASA signed first Space Act Agreement to privatize the VASIMR^® Technology. On July 8, 2005, Dr. Chang Díaz retires from NASA after 25 years of service. Ad Astra's Board of Directors is formed, Dr. Chang Díaz takes the helm as Chairman and CEO on July 15, 2005. In July 2006 AARC opened the Costa Rica subsidiary in the city of Liberia at the campus of Earth University. In December 2006, AARC-Costa Rica performed first plasma experiment on the VX-CR device utilizing helicon ionization of argon.

VX-100 (2007) [top]

100 kW VASIMR^® experiment was successively running in 2007 and demonstrated efficient plasma production with an ionization cost below 100 eV. VX-100 plasma output is tripled over the prior record of the VX-50. In the same year, AARC moved out from NASA facility to its own building in Webster, TX.