VASIMR

Ad Astra Rocket Company's new vacuum chamber (35 ft long, 15 ft in dia.), which is large enough to drive a full size school bus into!

B^2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:42:00 +0000

Final check of the force paddle before we seal up the vacuum chamber.

B^2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:27:00 +0000

Installing the new graphite force paddle on the translation stage in the vacuum chamber

B^2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:15:00 +0000

We wear gloves and boots in an effort to keep the chamber clean. This typically helps with our pump down times if we are really careful inside the chamber.

Ben (left), Jacob (center), Chris (right) installing a force paddle and an RPA on a translation stage

B^2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:12:00 +0000

This is the test section, between the rocket and the vacuum chamber. This is where many of the diagnostics go.

B^2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:09:00 +0000

Plasma diagnostic probe in the exhaust of VX-100. This is a windshield wiper like probe that produces a 2-D map of the plasma exhaust.

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:01:00 +0000

The Plasma Reaction (PR) Paddle being pummeled in the plasma rocket exhaust of the VX-100. Other plasma diagnostics can be seen in the background.

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:57:00 +0000

John Young and I discussing the future of space flight

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:55:00 +0000

Franklin discussing the details of plasma confinement within VASIMR with John Young

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:53:00 +0000

Dr. Ben Longmier (me) describing some of the details of VASIMR operation to two of our guests

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:49:00 +0000

Franklin talking about recent Ad Astra Rocket Company progress

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:46:00 +0000

Franklin talking about recent Ad Astra Rocket Company progress

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:41:00 +0000

John Young firing the second to last VASIMR shot (sitting)

B^2 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:39:00 +0000

The last VASIMR shot, fired by George Abbey (sitting). Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz (left), John Young (blue shirt), Art Dula, Michele Brekke (black suit)

B^2 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:43:00 +0000

Also in the scene: Ben Longmier (crayola blue polo), Jacob Chancery (green shirt)

Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz (left), John Young (center), George Abbey (right) discuss the future of VASIMR

B^2 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:43:00 +0000

me (left), John Young (center), George Abbey (right)

B^2 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:50:00 +0000

some inspiring thoughts from Franklin on the direction of the company and VASIMR

B^2 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:47:00 +0000

A champagne toast after the last shot

B^2 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:34:00 +0000