http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast04oct_1.htm

I think these quotes are mind-blowing in their implications:

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Maintaining such a bubble in space would require about 1 kW of power and less than 1 kg per day of helium propellant for the plasma source. In return, the bubble would intercept about 600 kW of solar wind power.

"One of the advantages of M2P2 is that it requires no new technology," says Gallagher. "The plasma sources and solenoids at the heart of the bubble are off-the-shelf devices."

"M2P2 is a 'constant-force' device," he added. "And that's another big advantage. If you sail the spacecraft far from the Sun, you won't lose thrust."

The solar wind's force per unit area decreases as the square of the distance from the Sun. Doubling the distance, for instance, decreases the solar wind pressure by a factor of four. "The solar wind is weaker far from the Sun, but the bubble is bigger, too (precisely because the solar wind pressure is lower)," he continued. "It so happens that the cross section of the bubble increases by the same factor that the solar wind pressure declines. The two effects completely cancel." It seems amazing, but the propulsive thrust of an M2P2-powered craft remains the same whether the spacecraft is near the Sun or in the outer reaches of the solar system."

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Imagine one of MirCorps Mini-Station 1s coupled with a M2P2 drive, which would suit my manned NEA mission down to the ground. The radiation exposure for long duration missions is also solved by the use of M2P2, plus fuel and power requirements for the plasma drive are amazingly low.

Hmmmm, does the 1 kg helium/1 kW a day ratio increase with spacecraft mass? Could you visit highly dangerous places like the Galilean moons or Mercury with this magnetic bubble redirecting killer radiation out of harm's way? A mere 3 months to go from stationary to 180,000 mph! Why can't the Pluto Kuiper Express have this instead of a pissy ion drive?

The exciting thing about M2P2 is it's doable more or less NOW, like a manned NEA mission. Like the scientist says, "One of the advantages of M2P2 is that it requires no new technology.....the plasma sources and solenoids at the heart of the bubble are off-the-shelf devices." How would you decelerate or approach the sun though if the solar wind is pushing you AWAY?

How is M2P2 coming along now, anyway? Were those tests slated for 2001 actually performed?