M2P2?

Can anyone update us on the status of mini magnetosphere plasma
propulsion (M2P2)? The website,

http://www.geophys.washington.edu/Sp...aceModel/M2P2/

is a couple years out of date, and I hesitate to bug the principals
uninvited. The idea seems so appealing -- high effective specific
impulse, radiation protection, etc. -- but perhaps there is a hitch.
Are there plans to test a vehicle in space?

Stuart

In article ,
Stuart E. Strand wrote:
Can anyone update us on the status of mini magnetosphere plasma
propulsion (M2P2)?

As far as I know, it remains a paper concept with some major unknowns.
I don't believe anyone has yet funded an in-space test.

...The idea seems so appealing -- high effective specific
impulse, radiation protection, etc. -- but perhaps there is a hitch.

High effective specific impulse, yes. Radiation protection, no -- the
mini-magnetospheres are not big enough or strong enough to fend off
serious particle radiation.
--
MOST launched 30 June; science observations running | Henry Spencer
since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending. |

I also would like to know of any new information concerning M2P2, and
of any new developments with the "dusty plasma" concept for it as
well. Here is a website for that particular concept:


http://bex.nsstc.uah.edu/RbS/PAPER/STAIF02/




"Stuart E. Strand" wrote in message ...
Can anyone update us on the status of mini magnetosphere plasma
propulsion (M2P2)? The website,

http://www.geophys.washington.edu/Sp...aceModel/M2P2/

is a couple years out of date, and I hesitate to bug the principals
uninvited. The idea seems so appealing -- high effective specific
impulse, radiation protection, etc. -- but perhaps there is a hitch.
Are there plans to test a vehicle in space?

Stuart

"Stuart E. Strand" writes:

Can anyone update us on the status of mini magnetosphere plasma
propulsion (M2P2)? The website,

http://www.geophys.washington.edu/Sp...aceModel/M2P2/

is a couple years out of date, and I hesitate to bug the principals
uninvited. The idea seems so appealing -- high effective specific
impulse, radiation protection, etc. -- but perhaps there is a hitch.

Among other things, the principals have only vague concepts as to how
to actually *steer* an M2P2.


Are there plans to test a vehicle in space?

There is no money to test a vehicle in space. There is also no money to
fly operational missions for which an M2P2 would be a clearly better
propulsion system than other, more mature systems.


--
*John Schilling * "Anything worth doing, *
*Member:AIAA,NRA,ACLU,SAS,LP * is worth doing for money" *
*Chief Scientist & General Partner * -13th Rule of Acquisition *
*White Elephant Research, LLC * "There is no substitute *
* for success" *
*661-951-9107 or 661-275-6795 * -58th Rule of Acquisition *

"Stuart E. Strand" wrote in message ...
Can anyone update us on the status of mini magnetosphere plasma
propulsion (M2P2)? The website,

http://www.geophys.washington.edu/Sp...aceModel/M2P2/

is a couple years out of date, and I hesitate to bug the principals
uninvited. The idea seems so appealing -- high effective specific
impulse, radiation protection, etc. -- but perhaps there is a hitch.
Are there plans to test a vehicle in space?

Stuart

Stuart, Robert Winglee and John Slough are a very nice guys and would
porbably enjoy your contacting them and it would seem you have the
easy means to do so. Any phone on campus and the four digit number...

I wouldn't buy most of what has been posted to this thread. Part of
why the website might not be changing is the lack of a student
interested in doing the work.

--Chris Vancil