Nautel engineers are at the cutting edge of transmitter design.
In fact, the Nautel team is developing RF power solutions for deep space plasma propulsion.
With over 40 years experience in creating highly innovative products, Nautel continues to lead the way in providing valuable new solutions for RF markets worldwide. The Ad Astra Rocket Company of Texas approached Nautel in 2007 to develop a radio-frequency amplifier to be used in a plasma rocket propulsion system.
Utilizing high efficiency solid state RF generators made by Nautel, Ad Astra’s VASIMR® VX-200 rocket project achieved a highly-coveted new power milestone of 200 kW maximum power in September, 2009. Originally studied by NASA, this technology is expected to revolutionize space travel greatly reducing the operational costs of space exploration and shortening transit times for missions to Mars, and Nautel is playing a key role in its development.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield talks about plasma rocket technology
Ad Astra press release - VASIMR VX-200 reaches 200 kW power milestone
Article on Nautel involvement in Ad Astra rocket development
Nautel's rocket science featured in Progress Magazine publication
Nautel Spacecraft Technology Press Release
To learn more about plasma rockets visit www.adastrarocket.com
Learn about the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket
Scientific American article on VASMIR™ plasma rocket
Ad Astra Rocket Science Video (WMV Format)
“Nautel’s compact and light weight high power RF technology is critical to a successful space application. In addition, the low voltage requirements of these RF transmitters make them compatible with the voltage output of space-borne solar power arrays, eliminating costly and bulky power transformers and other intermediate power conditioning equipment.”
Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz
Chairman and CEO, Ad Astra
ADIANS members with the Nautel RF amplifier for Ad Astra’s VASIMR® VX-200 rocket project, March 24th, 2010.