Gas flow heating using radio frequency plasmas offers the possibility of depositing power in the center of the flow rather than on the outside, as is the case with electro-thermal systems where thermal wall losses lower efficiency. Improved systems for space propulsion are one possible application and we have tested a prototype micro-thruster on a thrust balance in vacuum. For these initial tests, a fixed component radio frequency matching network weighing 90 g was closely attached to the thruster in vacuum with the frequency agile radio frequency generator power being delivered via a 50 ohm cable. Without accounting for system losses (estimated at around 50%), for a few 10 s of Watts from the radio frequency generator the specific impulse was tripled to ∼48 s and the thrust tripled from 0.8 to 2.4 milli-Newtons.

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