It sound's like he's talking about VASIMR-- or "Franklin's Engine," as John
Young referred to it. VASIMR stands for "VAriable Specific IMpulse Rocket,"
and astronaut Dr. Fra

Minor nit, but the "M" stands for Magnetoplasma. So, VAriable Specific Impulse
Magnetoplasma Rocket."

Andy



"Gee, I thought we'd be a lot higher at MECO!"
[Steve Hawley, STS 41-D pad abort, 1984]