Low-power solid-state microwave thruster systems

Previously obtained experimental performance values with helium propellant were used to estimate the performance of a low-power microwave thruster using other, more practical, propellants. When combined with a solid-state microwave source, obviating the need for a power processing unit, the low-power microwave thruster system was found to have significant advantages over other low-power electric propulsion thrusters. These include lower total system masses, higher thruster efficiencies and higher thrust-to-power values.