Editing Electromagnetic propulsion (section)

=== Spacecraft ===
{{main article|Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion}}
[[File:Plasma propulsion engine.webp|thumb|3D sketch of an electromagnetic propulsion [[Plasma propulsion engine|fusion plasma]] thruster]]
There are multiple applications for EMP technologies in the field of aerospace. Many of these applications are conceptual as of now, however, there are also several applications that range from near term to next century.<ref>Byers, D. C. (1984). The NASA electric propulsion program. JSASS/AIAA/DGLR 17th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 1-9.</ref> One of such applications is the use of EMP to control fine adjustments of orbiting satellites. One of these particular systems is based on the direct interactions of the vehicle's own electromagnetic field and the magnetic field of the Earth. The thrust force may be thought of as an electrodynamic force of interaction of the electric current inside its conductors with the applied natural field of the Earth.<ref name =joetwelve>{{cite journal|last1=Pulatov|first1=Valentine|title=Magnetic propulsion systems|journal=[[Progress in Aerospace Sciences]]|volume=37|issue=3|date=April 2001|pages=245–261|issn=0376-0421|doi=10.1016/S0376-0421(01)00006-9|bibcode=2001PrAeS..37..245P}}</ref> To attain a greater force of interaction, the magnetic field must be propagated further from the flight craft. The advantages of such systems is the very precise and instantaneous control over the thrust force. In addition, the expected electrical efficiencies are far greater than those of current chemical rockets that attain propulsion through the intermediate use of heat; this results in low efficiencies and large amounts of gaseous pollutants.<ref name =joethirteen>{{cite journal|last1=Pulatov|first1=Valentine |title=Physics of magnetic propulsion|journal=Progress in Aerospace Sciences|volume=41|issue=1|date=January 2005|pages=64–91|issn=0376-0421|doi=10.1016/j.paerosci.2005.02.003 |bibcode=2005PrAeS..41...64P}}</ref> The electrical energy in the coil of the EMP system is translated to potential and kinetic energy through direct energy conversion. This results in the system having the same high efficiencies as other electrical machines while excluding the ejection of any substance into the environment.<ref name =joethirteen />

The current thrust-to mass ratios of these systems are relatively low. Nevertheless, since they do not require reaction mass, the vehicle mass is constant. Also, the thrust can be continuous with relatively low electric consumption.<ref name =joetwelve /> The biggest limitation would be mainly the electrical conductance of materials to produce the necessary values of the current in the propulsion system.