Editing Propellant (section)

====Electrothermal====
These are engines that use electromagnetic fields to generate a [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] which is used as the propellant. They use a nozzle to direct the energized propellant. The nozzle itself may be composed simply of a magnetic field. Low molecular weight gases (e.g. hydrogen, helium, ammonia) are preferred propellants for this kind of system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/numbers/198/35.shtml|title=Native Electric Propulsion Engines Today|publisher=Novosti Kosmonavtiki|year=1999|issue=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606033558/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/numbers/198/35.shtml|archive-date=6 June 2011|language=ru}}</ref>
* [[Resistojet rocket|Resistojet]] – using a usually inert compressed propellant that is energized by simple [[Joule heating|resistive heating]]
* [[Arcjet rocket|Arcjet]] – uses (usually) hydrazine or ammonia as a propellant which is energized with an [[electrical arc]]
* [[Ion thruster#Microwave electrothermal thrusters|Microwave]] – a type of [[Radiofrequency ion thruster]]
* [[Variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket]] (VASIMR) – using microwave-generated plasma as the propellant and magnetic field to direct its expulsion