VASIMR

The VASIMR engine being developed by Costa Rican physicist Franklin Chang Díaz is one step closer to proving itself the best technology for propelling the next generation of spacecraft.

Researchers at the Technology Institute of Costa Rica (TEC) announced the first discharge of high temperature plasma in Latin America on Wednesday, joining an elite group of countries who have made advances in harnessing nuclear fusion to produce clean energy.

Ad Astra Rocket the company of former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz signed an agreement with EARTH University to research and develop hydrogen-based projects in the province of Guanacaste.

Four of the seven crew members of NASA’s STS-61C mission, including Tico astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz, met Friday in Costa Rica to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their mission on board space shuttle Columbia.

Former astronauts from various international space agencies will share their experiences at a public event at the National Stadium in San José next Wednesday. It's part of a U.N.-sponsored workshop on human space technology.

Costa Rica will host the workshop on Human Space Technology of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), March 7-11.