The VX-200 and the Path to Commercialization

Abstract

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of the Administrator Washington DC May 24, 2006 Dear Dr. Chang Diaz, We have followed, with interest, the privatization of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) project and are pleased with the success of our collaboration as defined in the Space Act Agreement signed June 26, 2005, between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Ad Astra Rocket Company. We have monitored your progress in the development of this technology with private funds and believe that your company’s initiative could one day be applicable to NASA’s exploration goals. We fully endorse such private efforts, and consistent with our Agency’s needs, will consider using these capabilities when they come to fruition. More specifically, we understand that one of your company’s near-term objectives is the development of a 100 kilowatt VASIMR engine, together with a space power and propulsion test facility, to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS). Such capability might be useful in providing drag compensation for the orbital complex or might evolve into a test bed for advanced electric plasma rockets in the future. NASA is interested in these concepts and willing to explore the feasibility of an addendum to the Space Act Agreement between NASA and your company. In order to determine if such an addendum is warranted, we should first collaboratively define the physical and functional interfaces required for the integration of such a system on the ISS, as well as your company’s ability to sustain the development and operation phases. In the long term, technologies such as VASIMR, once successfully demonstrated, could play a role in the evolving space exploration architecture. I am directing William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, to assign someone to work with your team on the potential for expanding our collaborative framework. I look forward to the continuation of a very productive relationship. Sincerely Michael D. Griffin Administrator