Re: VASIMR
Great news. Good news about the 30x lighter superconducting magnets too. I think the key here is convincing NASA to make the ISS flying pork actually useful by testing various electric space propulsion methods in situ. A double play since ISS needs periodic orbital re-boost because of LEO atmospheric drag. The asteroid defelecting paradigm is also fruitful longer range.
-p (40 days to Mars!)