Bob Zubrin says that the Vasimr isn't as good as proven ion engines for space propulsion.
Is that really true?
I have some doubts. After studying it a bit this morning, it looks like Vasimr will produce more thrust than the best ion engines.
As for Zubrin's criticism on the size and power requirements, 100k kilowatt system is probably going to be necessary if you use thermoelectric for your electricity source. This is dumb. Nobody would use 100k kilowatts just to produce such a small thrust, but then again, Zubrin may be making a claim that isn't so.
The Vasimr engine has been tested at 100k watts, if I am not mistaken. Two of them packaged together will require 200k watts. That's watts, not kilowatts. You would need kilowatts if you used thermoelectric because it is so inefficient. Also, what sense does it make to make heat to make electricity, then turn around and use that electricity to make heat????????? Of course this is wildly inefficient. That is why I am questioning Zubrin's claims. Nobody would design such a crazy thing.
Actually, the best thing to do is use solar panels. The ISS uses 200k watts worth of them. That will run a Vasimr. If the Vasimr could be used to tow the ISS to a higher orbit, then may the ISS can be used for a space station at EML-1. That station could be used as a waypoint for missions to the lunar surface, and to points beyond.
Just my two cents. Worth a try. If you are going to retire the ISS anyway, why not try the experiment?
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