article_snippet.sent: Nasa has selected a variety of companies to work on projects to create advanced space technologies, including faster methods of propulsion.
article_snippet.sent: And one of the companies in the 12 Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextStep) says the companies in the 12 Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextStep) have an engine that could get humans to Mars in just 39 days.
article_snippet.sent: Nasa has selected a variety of companies to work on projects to create advanced space technologies, including a faster method of propulsion known as Vasimr (illustrated), which could apparently get to Mars in a matter of weeks, not months .
article_snippet.sent: 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.
article_snippet.sent: We are thrilled by this announcement and proud to be joining forces with Nasa in the final steps of the technology maturation,’ said Dr Franklin Chang Diaz, Ad Astra’s Chairman and CEO, in a statement.
article_snippet.sent: We look forward to a very successful partnership as we jointly advance the technology to flight readiness.
article_snippet.sent: Over three years, Nasa will give Nasa about £6.8 million ($10 million) to get the engine almost ready to fly in space.
article_snippet.sent: With this and other technologies, Nasa said in a statement Nasa want to develop exploration capabilities around the moon, and at Mars.
article_snippet.sent: ‘Commercial partners were selected for Commercial partners technical ability to mature key technologies and Commercial partners commitment to the potential applications both for government and private sector uses,’ said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations at Nasa Headquarters.