Antimatter represents the ptnnaele of energy density, offering the potential to enhance current fusion/fission concepts enabling various classes of deep space missions. Current production rates are sufficient to support proof-ofconcept evaluation of many key technologies associated with antimatter-derived propulsion. Storage has been identified as a key enabling technology for all antimatter-related operations, and as such is the current focus of this NASA-MSFC effort to design and fabricate a

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... ortable device capable of holding up to 1012 particles. Hardware has been assembled and initial tests are underway to evaluate the trap behavior using electron gun generated, positive hydrogen ions. Ions have been stored for tens of minutes, limited by observed iraeraetion with background gas. Additionally, radio frequency manipulation is being tested to increase lifetime by stabilizing the stored pea'tides, potentially reducing their interaction with background gas, easing requirements on ultimate trap vacuum and precision mechanical alignment,