Plasma Rocket Breakthrough

I find it strange that with all the re-shifting of NASA's manned space program goals, that the Ad Astra VASIMR plasma rocket engine technology is not getting more press coverage in the USA. Here is a link to a report from our neighbors to the north, the CBC, with some encouraging developments on getting this new engine tested on the ISS in 2013.

If there is to be a manned mission to Mars, the success of this plasma engine (or something like it) is absolutely essential. Mars in 39 days is something that the human body can handle. Just make sure the flight path is clear.