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by Rod D. Martin
April 8, 2015
Currently, the typical time from Earth to Mars is about 260 days: nine long months. Viking 2 took 333 days. That’s a long time if you’re riding in coach.
But Earth to Mars in 39 days? It’s not just something out of a science fiction novel, if the Texas-based Ad Astra Rocket company has anything to say about it. NASA just announced funding for the plasma-based VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) engine, and it may become an integral part of NASA’s plans to put humans on Mars.
It also holds the key to making humanity a true spacefaring civilization.
According to an article at DailyMail.com:
The VASIMR engine – which uses plasma as a propellant – is being developed by the Ad Astra Rocket company in Texas.
Their engine shot to fame a few years ago when it was revealed that it could drastically reduce the journey time to Mars from months to weeks – although it may require a nuclear power source.
And following the successful test of a prototype in 2013, it seems NASA is now considering it for use on a future mission to Mars.
The company will be receiving $10M from NASA, and in just three years the engine could be near space-worthy.
Over three years, NASA will give the company about £6.8 million ($10 million) to get the engine almost ready to fly in space.
This will be achieved with a demonstration of their new prototype, the VX-200-SS, which will be able to fire continuously for more than 100 hours.
A previous test in 2013 saw Ad Astra complete 10,000 successful high power firings of a VASIMR prototype.
This technology dramatically reduces the time it takes to get around our solar system. For perspective, the Mayflower’s voyage took 66 days: people have done this before. And as a result, the prospect of human exploration – and even colonization – of distant worlds has come a lot closer to reality.
All of this is a tribute to the persistence of Franklin Chang Diaz, founder of Ad Astra. Born in Costa Rica of Spanish and Chinese descent, he decided as a child to become an astronaut, but realized that he had to be an American to do so. So at the age of 17 he made his way to America, finished high school, and earned a doctorate in plasma physics at MIT. Along the way he became a U.S. citizen, and three years later, he was selected as an astronaut. He was an astronaut for 25 years.
He started working on the VASIMR engine in the 1970s while a student. He started Ad Astra after retiring from NASA, ten years ago. Only now is his dream becoming a reality.
He refused to accept any limit. He wouldn’t accept barriers that would stop almost anyone. He just wouldn’t quit. Ever.
The best never do. And that’s why Franklin Chang Diaz may shape the future of humanity as much or more than the Wright Brothers or Christopher Columbus.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
The future of technology is the future of America. Rod Martin sees that future clearly, and also sees how to shape it for the betterment of all. He is firmly rooted in the traditions of faith and patriotism that have made America great. That’s why he has made, and will make, so many outstanding contributions in so many areas.
