Preliminary concept for an electrodeless Magnetic Reconnection Thruster (e-MRT)

Advanced thrusters are needed for deep space missions to Mars and beyond. Critical issues for such thrusters include (1) how to generate large thrust-to-power at (2) sufficiently high specific impulse with (3) long lifetime and (4) flexibility in propellant. To address these challenges, we are exploring a new electrodeless Magnetic Reconnection Thruster (e-MRT), which will use asymmetric, inductively-driven magnetic reconnection outflows to provide spacecraft thrust. Not requiring electrodes would mitigate electrode erosion, which is a key constraint on the lifetime of magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) and Z-pinch thrusters–other candidates for these missions.