Multi-megawatt pulsed inductive thruster

An inductive type magnetic thruster comprising:

• a series of electrically parallel coils forming an inductor arranged in a spiral pattern, each coil of said series of coils including at least two coil sections, each coil section being electrically connected at an outer perimeter of the inductor and an inner perimeter of the inductor;
• a series of discharge capacitors wherein at least two of the capacitors are electrically connected to each coil;
• and
• gas injection means for injecting a gas towards the inductor, wherein discharge of the capacitors creates a rising magnetic field which causes ionization of the gas providing the thrust.

An inductive type magnetic thruster comprising:

• a series of parallel-connected coils forming an inductor arranged in a spiral pattern, each coil of said series of coils including four coil sections, a first coil section being electrically connected to a first outer connective point at an outer perimeter of the conductor and traveling one-quarter of the distance around the inductor to a first inner connective point on an inner perimeter of the inductor, a second coil section being electrically connected to the first inner connective point and traveling one-quarter of the distance around the inductor to a second outer connective point opposite the first outer connective point on the outer perimeter of the conductor, a third coil section being electrically connected to the second outer connective point on the outer perimeter and traveling one-quarter of the distance around the inductor to a second inner connective point opposite the first inner connective point on the inner perimeter of the inductor, and a fourth coil section being electrically connected to the second inner connective point on the inner perimeter and traveling one-quarter of the distance around the inductor to the first connective point on the outer perimeter forming a closed coil loop;
• a series of discharge capacitors electrically connected to the inductor, wherein at least two of the capacitors are connected to each coil loop;
• and
• gas injection means for injecting a gas towards the inductor, wherein discharge of the capacitors creates a magnetic field which ionizes the gas and provides the thrust.