Abstract: Laser ablation microthruster is one of the most promising concepts of microthruster for its many significant advantages. This kind of microthruster produces microthrust by propellant ablation using a solid or diode laser on board. Its features mainly include high specific impulse, broad dynamic range of impulse, small minimum impulse bit (MIB), low power consumption, high energy coupling efficiency and affording facilities for lightweight and digital control. Based on a review of the relative references, this article is intended as a systematic overview of the evolvement and state of the art of laser ablation microthruster. Included in the discussions are ablation mechanism, structure design, ablative propulsion performance, ablation target and its structure, as well as critical questions in this field such as theoretical description of laser ablation, onboard laser, microthruster’s performance parameter system, performance parameter measurement and integrative design.

Key words: laser ablation, microthruster, ablation mechanism, performance parameter, target material