The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) - Astronaut Chang-Diaz

"All of the issues of transporting humans to Mars are greatly ameliorated with significant reductions in interplanetary transit time, which could be possible with advanced propulsion systems, potentially far more capable than the chemical and nuclear thermal rockets being considered," said Chang-Diaz, an ex-astronaut and MIT-trained physicist.

Chang-Diaz is developing an advanced plasma propulsion system that would cut the round-trip time on Mars missions to five months.

The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) uses magnetic fields to guide superhot plasma out of an engine nozzle, producing an immense amount of thrust. A one-year trip to Mars could be cut to just 39 days.

Chang-Diaz said advanced high-power electric propulsion and nuclear electric power systems "could revolutionize in-space transportation by greatly reducing the interplanetary transit time."

The method of heating plasma used in VASIMR was originally developed as a result of research into nuclear fusion.

VASIMR is intended to bridge the gap between high-thrust, low-specific impulse propulsion systems and low-thrust, high-specific impulse systems.

VASIMR is capable of functioning in either mode. Costa Rican scientist and former astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz, the creator of the VASIMR concept, has been working on its development since 1977.