Would the VASIMR's exhaust glow?

[Philippe Lemay]

Just a little question this time.

http://www.airspacemag.com/multimedi.../53248457.html

I guess it could be broadened to include most magneto-plasma based engines. I was watching this vid I found (I think somewhere on this forum), and I noticed the VASIMR's thruster exhausts glow a bright blue. Do any of you know if this is just to make it look cool, or would it really glow like that?

I heard that the VASIMR would use radio-waves to ionize the gases used for propulsion, and I know radiowaves are invisible to the naked eye. But the glowing might not be caused directly by the radiowaves, I'm not sure.

[DrWho]

The glow is due to the ionization of the propellant (argon gas).

[korjik]

Like Who said, the glow is due to the ionization of the gas. Pretty cool to see.

[mugaliens]

Chang Diaz's idea is a good one. Requires a great deal of electrical energy to make it work, though. The current weight of solar panels make that a poor choice, so I'm hoping for some serious advances over the next few years.

[korjik]

Solar powering a VASIMR loses alot of the use of the engine. It restricts any travel to the inner solar system. Even the 200 kW version for the lunar tug requires a rather amazing amount of panels. I would hate to see the amount of panels needed for 12 MW

[Philippe Lemay]

Well what about an efficient nuclear reactor? Like a Generation IV something, I heard those have up to 60% efficiency.
Though... then you would probably need just as many heat-radiating panels to keep the damn thing cool.

[DrWho]

Actual test firing of VASIMR Plasma Rocket.

[Philippe Lemay]

lol, sweet... the thing looks like some mad scientist's pet-project.

Hey I heard the ISS is going to accept one and test it out as an altitude control thruster or something.

As of 31 May 2009, tests have begun on the VX-200 prototype with fully integrated superconducting magnets. They intend to expand the power range of the VASIMR up to its full operational capability. If these tests prove successful, Ad Astra will develop a flight capable VASIMR to be installed on the ISS.

The quote is from the wikipedia article.