Abstract: Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters are accelerating devices with highpower，which are potentially useful in deep space exploration missions for the significant advantages such as high specific impulse, thrust density and efficiency. Detailed analysis is given on the thruster working mechanism and application prospect in this paper. The thruster energy input, propellant ionization, plasmas acceleration and energy conversion mechanisms are mainly studied, and the application prospects of magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters in space propulsion missions are also analyzed. The study shows that the magnetoplasmadynamic thruster mainly applies electromagnetic forces and energy conversion effect of magnetic nozzle to accelerate plasmas. This acceleration mode can produce large thrust, and additionally it is high efficient and has long work time. This class of thruster can be widely used in the highpower orbit vehicles for deep space exploration missions.

Key words: magnetoplasmadynamic thruster, working mechanism, orbit control, deep space exploration