Well it seems our brilliant engineers on our planet have developed a power plant that would enable a space craft to reach mars in 39 days, compared to six months by conventional rocket power. This engine is in fact going to be tested on the International Space Station, hopefully launching about 2013. The Variable Specific Impulse Magneto plasma Rocket (VASIMR®) system encompasses three linked magnetic cells. The 'Plasma Source' cell involves the main injection of neutral gas (typically hydrogen, or other light gases) to be turned into plasma and the ionization subsystem. The 'RF Booster' cell acts as an amplifier to further energize the plasma to the desired temperature using electromagnetic waves. The 'Magnetic Nozzle' cell converts the energy of the plasma into directed motion and ultimately useful thrust.
This type of power plant is known as an ION drive first discussed during the original Star Trek series (another example of science fiction becoming science fact). Because Mars and Earth only pass close together every two years, space experts have always assumed a crew would have to travel one way, wait a year, then fly back the next time the planets were close together - raising huge problems for food, air and water storage but providing a captive audience for any retail opportunities (New Look space boots anyone...)
But ion drive could make a return trip possible during a single close approach of Earth and Mars opening more opportunities for the retail and leisure industries. Can’t wait to design and implement the new breed of retail space parks. I just hope the contractors are up to date with the latest building regs in space. (Pressurised fitting rooms anyone...)
Bubba the Geek
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