In the aerospace field, small satellites have gained popularity due to their low cost and flexibility, but their development has long been constrained by the availability of efficient propulsion technology. In the vacuum of space, spacecraft can only move forward through "reaction force." Traditional chemical rockets generate thrust by burning fuel to produce high-temperature gases that are expelled backward, but this method is highly inefficient, with more than 90% of a rocket's weight often dedicated to fuel. Electric propulsion technology, by contrast, functions like a "space electric vehicle," using electrical energy to accelerate charged particles (plasma) to generate thrust, offering significantly higher efficiency than chemical propulsion.
Among various electric propulsion systems, Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters (MPDTs) represent a high-performance option that utilizes the interaction between powerful magnetic fields and electrical currents to accelerate plasma to extremely high velocities. Simply put, it functions as a "space electromagnetic cannon," controlling the direction and speed of high-temperature plasma through magnetic fields, achieving propulsion efficiency 8-10 times greater than traditional chemical rockets. However, conventional MPDTs have been limited by massive copper electromagnetic coils that are not only extremely heavy (typically exceeding 150 kg), but also consume enormous power—200-300 kilowatts, equivalent to the electricity consumption of a small community! This results in bulky systems with high power demands that are difficult to integrate into miniature platforms. How to equip these small yet sophisticated spacecraft with a powerful yet efficient "heart" has been a critical technological challenge awaiting solution.
Recently, a research team led by Professor Jinxing Zheng from the Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has achieved a significant breakthrough in this field. They successfully developed China's first compact high-temperature superconducting magnetoplasmadynamic thruster. By replacing traditional bulky and energy-intensive copper coils with YBCO superconducting material that operates at liquid nitrogen temperatures (-196°C), they reduced power consumption from 285 kilowatts to less than 1 kilowatt and decreased weight from 220 kilograms to 60 kilograms. This means satellites can be lighter, more affordable, and more environmentally friendly, enabling space exploration to proceed with a "lighter load." This achievement has been published in National Science Review, titled "High performance in high-temperature superconducting MPD thrusters: Analytical MHD modeling and experimental demonstration."
Experimental results show that the thruster achieved an ultra-high specific impulse of 3,265 seconds with a 12-kilowatt power input—meaning it can generate sustained thrust with minimal propellant consumption. In comparison, traditional chemical rockets typically have specific impulses of only about 300 seconds. This technological breakthrough not only significantly reduces spacecraft fuel requirements and launch costs but also provides an efficient propulsion solution for future small satellite platforms. The research team's work extends beyond hardware development; they have also established a comprehensive analytical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model that precisely describes the relationship between magnetic field strength, mass flow rate, and thrust performance.
This breakthrough means spacecraft can achieve the same mission objectives with significantly reduced propellant mass and system weight, opening possibilities for future deep space exploration.
National Science Review
Experimental study