Patent ID: 7053333

Claim:
A vacuum arc plasma thruster having a coaxial geometry, said thruster comprising: a power source having an anode output and a cathode output, said power source comprising: a voltage source in series with an energy storage device in series with a switch, said switch having a terminal coupled to said anode output and a terminal coupled to said cathode output; a coaxial plasma thruster including: a tubular cathode electrode having an inner surface and an outer surface and a central axis; a cylindrical anode electrode located substantially on said central axis; an insulator placed between said tubular cathode inner surface and said cylindrical anode, said insulator having an area of preferred plasma formation between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode; said preferred plasma formation area having a film of conductive material; said power source anode output coupled to said anode electrode and said power source cathode output coupled to said cathode electrode.