NASA Ad Astra Contract Extends Plasma Rocket Development | Aviation Week Network

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Mark Carreau
October 02, 2025

Ad Astra artist rendering

Credit: Ad Astra Rocket Co.

NASA has awarded the Ad Astra Rocket Co. a $4 million, two-year contract for the continued development of the company’s Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) concept. The vehicle has which has the potential to reach Mars with human explorers within 45 days using a nuclear power…

Mark Carreau

Mark is based in Houston, where he has written on aerospace for more than 25 years. While at the Houston Chronicle, he was recognized by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation in 2006 for his professional contributions to the public understanding of America’s space program through news reporting.

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