| Citation: | XIA Bohan, LU Chang, KANG Huifeng, et al. Research progress of water-fueled electric propulsion technology[J]. Journal of Aerospace Power, 2025, 40（11）：20240491 doi: 10.13224/j.cnki.jasp.20240491
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Electric propulsion, with its high specific impulse, efficiency and long lifespan, has emerged as one of the main space propulsion methods following cold gas and chemical propulsion. Water-fueled electric propulsion, thanks to its non-toxic, pollution-free and low-cost benefits, has increasingly gained attention. A comprehensive summary and evaluation of the current development status of water-fueled electric propulsion technology were conducted both domestically and internationally. Based on the method of thrust generation, it can be classified into three types: electrothermal, electromagnetic, and electrostatic. Result showed that, electrothermal propulsion achieved significant progress in ground experiments and in-orbit demonstrations, making it the most mature water-based propulsion technology. Water-based electromagnetic and electrostatic propulsion technologies are still in the developmental stage but are progressing steadily. Future advancements in water-fueled propulsion technology are expected to focus on the integration of chemical and electric propulsion systems, multimodal propulsion designs, and their application in deep space exploration. With technologies becoming more mature, water-fueled propulsion technology will develop in directions that integrate chemical and electric propulsions.
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