Technology Maturation of the VASIMR Electric Propulsion System

The proposed innovations seek to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of the VASIMR electric propulsion system from TRL 4-5 to TRL 5-6, along three key technologies: RF power generation and transmission, thermal management and structural integrity, and high-temperature superconducting (HTSC) magnets. The two-year level of effort includes design, build, and test for the RF, thermal and structural elements on the TRL-4-5 VX-200SS VASIMR laboratory prototype. The work plan, which includes sufficient margin for addressing contingencies, will validate these elements, in an integrated fashion, in a relevant vacuum environment, and aims to retire risk as the system matures. The work also includes a critical design effort for an advanced high temperature superconducting (HTSC) magnet subsystem, slated to replace the current low temperature superconducting (LTSC) version, improving performance and reducing mass. The maturation of the VASIMR Electric Propulsion Subsystem (EPS) is a natural progression from the completion of SBIR Phase II Contract, 80NSSC23CA059, “Improved Thermomechanical Design of the VASIMR RF Coupler”, expected in March of 2025. The proposed work is relevant to the evolving market of high-power electric propulsion applications in cislunar space and for deep space. The VASIMR technology supports the Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) technology challenge, addressing four of the five Critical Technology Elements (CTEs) specified in the solicitation. While the direct focus is on the Electric Propulsion Subsystem (CTE4). The maturation of the VASIMR radio frequency (RF) power subsystem may also relax constraints and provide flexibility for the NEP Power Conversion Subsystem (PCS) and the Power Management & Distribution Subsystem (PMAD) per CTE2 and CTE3. In addition, the high-temperature heat rejection architecture envisioned for the VASIMR rocket core may also be applicable to CTE5, the NEP Primary Heat Rejection Subsystem (PHRS).

Potential NASA applications for 100 kW-class VASIMR engines include primary propulsion for Lunar resupply missions with high-power solar and nuclear electric power (SEP/NEP); fast interplanetary robotic science missions with high-power NEP; cislunar NASA in-space transportation for servicing, refueling, repositioning and/or disposal of NASA space assets, with high-power SEP/NEP; planetary defense missions with high-power SEP/NEP that can actively deflect a potential asteroid threat; orbital debris mitigation (could also be non-NASA). Potential applications for Multi MW-class engines include human fast interplanetary missions to Mars and beyond with high-power NEP. Very high power ultra-fast robotic science missions that could venture to the edge of the solar system and interstellar space. Increasingly, in-space transportation is becoming a commercial endeavor and high-power VASIMR electric propulsion fills an important niche in a growing and evolving cislunar logistics market for 100 to 200 kW-class electric rockets. Non-NASA applications include commercial large satellite servicing, repositioning, refueling, and disposal. The Department of Defense (DoD) also has a growing need for spacecraft that can “maneuver without regret,” meaning that maneuvering agility and endurance must coexist. High power VASIMR electric propulsion, in combination with space nuclear electric power, opens this option space. With multi-MW nuclear electric propulsion, the 10x increase in the specific impulse of electric over chemical rockets implies propellant endurance and does not have to result in an unacceptable drop in thrust. The VASIMR engine’s inherent capability for thrust/Isp modulation at constant power and its ability to use multiple propellants, introduces additional maneuvering flexibility. Other areas of future commercial revenue potential include orbital debris mitigation and access to and utilization of space resources, with spacecraft powerful enough to redirect large asteroids in support of mining operations.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.