Plasma Propulsion

Dear Colleagues,

We are living in a key period in the development and commercialization of plasma or electric propulsion (EP) for space missions. Recent progress ranges from the continuous improvement of the performance, lifetime, and cost of existing technologies, to the development of new disruptive technologies that promise to stir our field. The availability of these propulsion systems is opening novel possibilities in the space sector, where new and exciting space missions can greatly benefit from the capabilities of EP. At the same time, multiple research challenges remain open in EP. On the one hand, we need to improve the physical understanding of the various processes and mechanisms that participate in the thruster’s operation in order to improve their efficiency, lifetime, and operational envelope of the most mature technologies. Additionally, there is room for research and development of new EP technologies that improve the actual durability, simplicity, and operational flexibility, among other characteristics. This Special Issue on plasma space propulsion has the objective of reviewing the state of the art of EP and the latest research advances, as well as describing the direction in which the future plasma propulsion developments are heading. Works on current and emerging technologies, plasma modeling (theory and simulations), ground testing of EP, and technological developments for its specialization are encouraged from researchers across the plasma propulsion sector.

Prof. Dr. Pablo Fajardo
Prof. Dr. Mario Merino
Prof. Dr. Jaume Navarro
Guest Editors

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