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VASIMR VX-200SS Plasma Rocket Completes Record 88-hour High-power Endurance Test
Ad Astra Rocket Company’s VASIMR® VX-200SS Plasma Rocket has completed 88 hours of continuous operation at 80 kW at the company’s Texas laboratory near Houston. In doing so, the company establishes a new high-power world endurance record in electric propulsion. The test also demonstrates the maturity of the VASIMR® engine technology as a competitive option for high-power in-space electric propulsion with either solar or nuclear electric power. Electric rockets operating above 50 kW/thruster are considered “high-power.” The test began at 12:50 pm (CST) last Monday July 12 and ended Friday, July 16 at 4:55 am (CST). The firing stopped only...