Electric propulsion with a high-specific impulse for satellite applications allows earth-orbiting satellites to perform versatile and complex operations. When used as the final-stage motor of transportation systems, it is a key technology to pioneer deep space explorations. R&D continues on a pulse-plasma thruster (PPT) and DC arc jet. An MPD arc jet was demonstrated on SFU while a microwave discharge-type ion engine was proven as the main propulsion of the asteroid explorer HAYABUSA
thruster