The ion thruster uses metallic ions as the propellant. By using the concept of electron-beam physical vapor deposition processing, a zinc target is bombarded, heated, evaporated,ionized by magnetron e-beam bombardments. Zinc ions are accelerated by an electric fieldthus provides thrusts.

The metallic propellant used in an ion thruster is the innovation in this project. It solves the problem of the global shortage of xenon which is commonly used in electric propulsions. In the metallic ion thruster, zinc is heated, evaporated,ionized by magnetron e-beam bombardments. Zinc ions are accelerated by an electric potentialthus provides thrusts.

The space era is coming. Thrusters are needed to maintain orbits of satellites, changing orbits of satellites, controls of satellite attitude,exploration of deep space. Therefore, the metallic ion thruster using magnetron e-beam bombardments can be widely used in the space industry.