The Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster

Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters use the Lorentz force (a force exerted on charged particles by magnetic and electrical fields in combination) to generate thrust. MPD thruster technology has been explored academically, but commercial interest has been low. In theory, such thrusters could produce extremely high specific impulse.

MPD thrusters can be run in a steady state fashion or in a pulsed fashion.

See also: Hall effect thruster, Pulsed plasma thruster, Spacecraft propulsion

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