Ad Astra Rocket Company's new vacuum chamber (35 ft long, 15 ft in dia.), which is large enough to drive a full size school bus into!

Final check of the force paddle before we seal up the vacuum chamber.

Installing the new graphite force paddle on the translation stage in the vacuum chamber

We wear gloves and boots in an effort to keep the chamber clean. This typically helps with our pump down times if we are really careful inside the chamber.

Ben (left), Jacob (center), Chris (right) installing a force paddle and an RPA on a translation stage

This is the test section, between the rocket and the vacuum chamber. This is where many of the diagnostics go.

Plasma diagnostic probe in the exhaust of VX-100. This is a windshield wiper like probe that produces a 2-D map of the plasma exhaust.

The Plasma Reaction (PR) Paddle being pummeled in the plasma rocket exhaust of the VX-100. Other plasma diagnostics can be seen in the background.

John Young and I discussing the future of space flight

Franklin discussing the details of plasma confinement within VASIMR with John Young

Dr. Ben Longmier (me) describing some of the details of VASIMR operation to two of our guests

Franklin talking about recent Ad Astra Rocket Company progress

Franklin talking about recent Ad Astra Rocket Company progress

John Young firing the second to last VASIMR shot (sitting)

The last VASIMR shot, fired by George Abbey (sitting). Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz (left), John Young (blue shirt), Art Dula, Michele Brekke (black suit)

Also in the scene: Ben Longmier (crayola blue polo), Jacob Chancery (green shirt)

Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz (left), John Young (center), George Abbey (right) discuss the future of VASIMR

me (left), John Young (center), George Abbey (right)

some inspiring thoughts from Franklin on the direction of the company and VASIMR

A champagne toast after the last shot