Abstract: High power electrodeless electromagnetic propulsion based on high density plasma has already become one of the most competitive core propulsion technologies in future space missions, such as deep space exploration, manned space flight, solar power station and onorbit maintenance and service. Based on the different acceleration mechanisms adopted in different electrodeless electromagnetic propulsion technologies, the propulsion performances of different electromagnetic propulsion technologies were compared.Then the field reversed electrodeless electromagnetic propulsion technology adopting the rotating magnetic field acceleration mechanism was analyzed,which has great advantages and potential in developing to super high power propulsion thruster. At last, the existing technical challenges confronted in developing this new conceptual thruster was presented, aiming at providing technical and theoretical supporting for the future development of the field reversed electrodeless electromagnetic propulsion technology.

Key words: high power, electrodeless, electromagnetic acceleration, iorentz force, rotating magnetic field acceleration, plasmoid, electromagnetic propulsion