超导型磁等离子体动力推力器发展历程及技术分析-深空探测前沿技术

吴鹏; 周成; 汤海滨; 王戈; 李永

doi:10.7527/S1000-6893.2026.33845

航空学报 >

0 1 - 0

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7527/S1000-6893.2026.33845

超导型磁等离子体动力推力器发展历程及技术分析-深空探测前沿技术

吴鹏 ,
周成 ,
汤海滨 ,
王戈 ,
李永

展开

1. 北京控制工程研究所
2. 北京航空航天大学宇航学院
3. 北京控制工程研究所（502）

收稿日期: 2026-05-08

修回日期: 2026-08-30

网络出版日期: 2026-09-10

基金资助

等离子体动力推力器光机电联合测试理论与方法

收起

Development History and Technical Analysis of Superconducting Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster

WU Peng ,
ZHOU Cheng ,
TANG Hai-Bin ,
WANG Ge ,
LI Yong

Expand

Received date: 2026-05-08

Revised date: 2026-08-30

Online published: 2026-09-10

Fold

摘要

随着人类空间探索活动的持续拓展，传统化学推进系统已难以满足长航程深空探测与近地轨道商业卫星组网的性能需求。附加磁场磁等离子体动力推力器（Applied-field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster, AF-MPDT）作为典型的电磁型电推进技术，兼具高比冲与高推力密度的核心优势，被公认为未来大功率深空探测任务的核心候选推进技术，而高温超导技术的引入进一步突破了传统AF-MPDT的磁场强度与系统功耗瓶颈。本文阐述了AF-MPDT的核心工作原理与加速机制，全面总结了全球超导型AF-MPDT的研究现状，回顾了国内AF-MPDT技术从数十千瓦的原理样机到百千瓦级超导样机的发展历程，分析了高场强超导磁体空间适配、强磁环境长寿命阴极、强磁-等离子体耦合加速三大核心关键技术的研究进展。当前超导型AF-MPDT的研制仍面临诸多挑战：高温超导磁体的空间环境适应性与可靠性有待验证、强磁环境下阴极寿命与电极腐蚀问题尚未完全解决、兆瓦级大功率工况下的等离子体约束与加速机理仍需深入研究。最后，本文对超导型AF-MPDT的未来发展方向进行了展望，以期为该领域的相关研究提供参考。

关键词： 深空探测; 电推进技术; 附加场磁等离子体动力推力器; 超导技术; 发展历程

本文引用格式

吴鹏 , 周成 , 汤海滨 , 王戈 , 李永 . 超导型磁等离子体动力推力器发展历程及技术分析-深空探测前沿技术[J]. 航空学报, 0 : 1 -0 . DOI: 10.7527/S1000-6893.2026.33845

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of human space exploration activities, traditional chemical propulsion systems can hardly meet the performance requirements of long-range deep space exploration and low-Earth orbit commercial satellite constellations. As a typical electromagnetic electric propulsion technology, the Applied-field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (AF-MPDT) combines the core advantages of high specific impulse and high thrust density, and is widely recognized as a key candidate propulsion technology for future high-power deep space exploration missions. The introduction of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology has further broken through the bottlenecks of magnetic field strength and system power consumption in traditional AF-MPDTs. This paper elaborates the core operating principle and acceleration mechanism of AF-MPDTs, comprehensively summarizes the global research status of superconducting AF-MPDTs, reviews the development history of domestic AF-MPDT technology from tens-of-kilowatt prototypes to hundred-kilowatt-class superconducting thrusters, and analyzes the research progress of three core key technologies: space adaptation of high-field superconducting magnets, long-life cathodes under strong magnetic fields, and strong magnetic field-plasma coupling acceleration. The current development of superconducting AF-MPDTs still faces many challenges: the space environment adaptability and reliability of high-temperature superconducting magnets remain to be verified, the issues of cathode life and electrode erosion under strong magnetic fields have not been fully resolved, and the plasma confinement and acceleration mechanisms under megawatt-class high-power operating conditions still require in-depth investigation. Finally, this paper prospects the future development directions of superconducting AF-MPDTs, with the aim of providing reference for relevant research in this field.

Key words： Deep Space Exploration; Electric Propulsion Technology; Applied-field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (AF-MPDT); Superconducting Technology; Development History

参考文献

[1] HAN M, RANA H. Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters for Deep Space Exploration[A/OL]. arXiv, 2024[2026-03-26]. DOI:10.48550/arXiv.2410.17478.
[2] MARTINEZ-SANCHEZ M, POLLARD J E. Spacecraft Electric Propulsion-An Overview[J/OL]. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 1998, 14(5): 688-699. DOI:10.2514/2.5331.
[3] MYERS R, LAPOINTE M, MANTENIEKS M. MPD thruster technology[C/OL]//Conference on Advanced SEI Technologies. Cleveland,OH,U.S.A.: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1991[2021-04-20]. DOI:10.2514/6.1991-3568.
[4] SOVEY J S, MANTENIEKS M A. Performance and lifetime assessment of magnetoplasmadynamic arc thruster technology[J/OL]. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 1991, 7(1): 71-83. DOI:10.2514/3.23296.
[5] BETANCOURT M L R, COLLIER-WRIGHT M, GIRARD M, et al. Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters (SUPREME) as an Enabling Technology for Next Generation of Space Missions[J]. Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 2019, 72(12): 401-409.
[6] CASSADY R, FRISBEE R, GILLAND J, et al. Recent advances in nuclear powered electric propulsion for space exploration[J/OL]. Energy Conversion and Management, 2008, 49: 412-435. DOI:10.1016/j.enconman.2007.10.015.
[7] KODYS A, CHOUEIRI E. A Critical Review of the State-of-the-Art in the Performance of Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters[C/OL]//The 41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit. Tucson, Arizona: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2005: 4247. DOI:10.2514/6.2005-4247.
[8] COOGAN W, CHOUEIRI E. A Critical Review of Thrust Models for Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters[C/OL]//53rd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference. Atlanta, GA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2017: 4723[2021-09-24]. DOI:10.2514/6.2017-4723.
[9] SASOH A, ARAKAWA Y. Thrust Formula for Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters Derived from Energy Conservation Equation[J/OL]. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 1995, 11(2): 351-356. DOI:10.2514/3.51432.
[10] TANG H B, CHENG J, LIU C, et al. Study of applied magnetic field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters with particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo collision. II. Investigation of acceleration mechanisms[J/OL]. Physics of Plasmas, 2012, 19(7): 073108. DOI:10.1063/1.4737104.
[11] B?GEL E, COLLIER-WRIGHT M, AGGARWAL K, et al. State of the Art Review in Superconductor-based Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster technology[C]//the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference. Cambridge, MA, USA: Electric Rocket Propulsion Society, 2022: 476.
[12] COLLIER-WRIGHT M R, BETANCOURT M A L R, HERDRICH G, et al. High-temperature superconductor-based power system architectures as enablers for high power missions[C/OL]//ASCEND 2021. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2021[2021-11-11]. DOI:10.2514/6.2021-4105.
[13] DADHICH A, PARDO E, HERDRICH G, et al. Electrothermal quench modeling for the 100 kW SX3 thruster using superconducting coils[J/OL]. 2025[2026-03-26]. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.17522217.
[14] OLATUNJI J, GLOWACKI J, STRICKLAND N, et al. Design, Modelling and Fabrication of a Fault Tolerant 1 T Superconducting Applied-Field Module for a kW-class Plasma Rocket[C/OL]//the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference. 2024: 527[2025-07-06]. DOI:10.26686/wgtn.26928448.
[15] WANG B, TANG H, WANG Y, et al. A 100 KW Class Applied-field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster[J/OL]. Jove-Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2018, 2(142): 20-30. DOI:10.3791/58510.
[16] WU P, WANG Y, LI Y, et al. The performance of a magnetic nozzle enhanced magnetoplasmadynamic thruster[J/OL]. Acta Astronautica, 2024, 217: 188-196. DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.01.041.
[17] ZHENG J, LIU H, SONG Y, et al. Integrated study on the comprehensive magnetic-field configuration performance in the 150 kW superconducting magnetoplasmadynamic thruster[J/OL]. Scientific Reports, 2021, 11(1): 20706. DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-00308-4.
[18] JAHN R G. Physics of Electric Propulsion[M]. Courier Corporation, 2006.
[19] CHOUEIRI E. Scaling of Thrust in Self-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters[J/OL]. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 1998, 14(5): 744-753. DOI:10.2514/2.5337.
[20] SASOH A. Simple formulation of magnetoplasmadynamic acceleration[J/OL]. Physics of Plasmas, 1994, 1(3): 464-469. DOI:10.1063/1.870847.
[21] WU P, WANG Y, LI Y, et al. Analytical investigation of outflow currents in applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters[J/OL]. Acta Astronautica, 2022[2022-11-22]. DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.11.033.
[22] SUN Y, WANG Y, WANG Y, et al. Experimental investigation of the electromagnetic acceleration mechanisms in an applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster[J/OL]. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 2024, 33(11): 115016. DOI:10.1088/1361-6595/ad9056.
[23] SUN Y, REN J, LI Y, et al. Modulation of plasma electromagnetic acceleration by magnetic nozzle divergence topology[J/OL]. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 2025, 34(10): 105022. DOI:10.1088/1361-6595/ae13bf.
[24] WU K, CHEN Z, REN J, et al. A review of plasma acceleration and detachment mechanisms in propulsive magnetic nozzles[J/OL]. Physics of Plasmas, 2025, 32(4): 040501. DOI:10.1063/5.0255878.
[25] MALLETT B P P, JANE C, WEBSTER E, et al. Development of techniques for directly measuring thrust from a superconducting applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster[J/OL]. Journal of Electric Propulsion, 2025, 4(1): 6. DOI:10.1007/s44205-025-00105-5.
[26] GLOWACKI J, WEBSTER E, HELLMANN S. Thrust and Efficiency Characterization of a Low-Power Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster With a Superconducting Magnet[C/OL]//AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2025[2026-03-24]. DOI:10.2514/6.2025-2040.
[27] VORONOV A S, TROITSKIY A A, EGOROV I D, et al. Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster with an applied field based on the second generation high-temperature superconductors[J/OL]. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2020, 1686: 012023. DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/1686/1/012023.
[28] WANKE D, SPERBER A, BEHNKE A, et al. Facility Advancement and Mapping for the Advanced 5 kW AF-MPD Thruster SUPREME[C]//the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference. Toulouse, France, 2024: 589.
[29] BOXBERGER A, BEHNKE A, HERDRICH G. Current Advances in Optimization of Operative Regimes of Steady State Applied Field MPD Thrusters[C]//The 36th International Electric Propulsion Conference. University of Vienna, Austria: Electric Rocket Propulsion Society, 2019: 585.
[30] BOXBERGER A, HERDRICH G. Integral measurements of 100 kW class steady state applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster SX3 and perspectives of AF-MPD technology[C]//The 35th International Electric Propulsion Conference. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Electric Rocket Propulsion Society, 2017: 339.
[31] WINTER M, BETANCOURT M L R, B?GEL E, et al. Downscaling the 100 kW SX-3 AF-MPD to the 5 kW SUPREME Thruster[A/OL]. Research Square, 2025[2026-03-26]. DOI:10.21203/rs.3.rs-5738053/v1.
[32] WANG B, YANG W, TANG H, et al. Target thrust measurement for applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster[J/OL]. Measurement Science and Technology, 2018, 29(7): 075302. DOI:10.1088/1361-6501/aac079.
[33] 王宝军, 周成, 李永, 等. 磁等离子体动力推力器发展历程及工程应用中关键技术分析[J/OL]. 固体火箭技术, 2021, 44(2): 223-232. DOI:10.7673/j.issn.1006-2793.2021.02.012.
[34] ZHENG J, DU Y, AFTAB H, et al. High performance of high-temperature-superconducting MPD thrusters: analytical MHD modeling and experimental demonstration[J/OL]. National Science Review, 2026, 13(2): nwaf589. DOI:10.1093/nsr/nwaf589.
[35] 丛云天, 李永, 汤海滨, 等. 百千瓦级大功率磁等离子体动力推进系统设计研究[J/OL]. 固体火箭技术, 2021, 44(3): 304-310. DOI:10.7673/j.issn.1006-2793.2021.03.003.
[36] CHEN Z, WANG Y, TANG H, et al. Compositions and distributions of the azimuthal currents in the magnetic nozzle[J/OL]. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 2021, 30(10): 105012. DOI:10.1088/1361-6595/ac2a0a.
[37] CHEN Z, WANG Y, TANG H, et al. Electric potential barriers in the magnetic nozzle[J/OL]. Physical Review E, 2020, 101(5): 053208. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.101.053208.

Options

摘要页面

文章导航

模态框（Modal）标题

摘要

本文引用格式

Abstract

参考文献