Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: 1.5 Years to Mars? Russia Could Do It in 1.5 Months [View all]LongTomH
(8,636 posts)14. The VASIMR engine doesn't really need a nuclear reactor.
The article was incorrect, as is much 'popular science' journalism these days.
The Ad Astra page for VASIMR lists both solar and nuclear power as energy sources for the VASIMR engine.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
43 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Russia also has some successes we just don't talk about very much. Starting as the Soviet Union,
24601
Apr 2016
#39
I was just at NASA in October.I believe the way they termed it on our tour was less than 2 years
Person 2713
Apr 2016
#37
The technical barrier to Mars isn't the wait, it's not being killed by solar radiation.
LeftyMom
Apr 2016
#33