The application and development of pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) in recent years are reviewed in this paper. The advantages of PPTs are discussed. The schematics, propulsion performance parameters and key physical processes of PPTs are described. Some representative PPT products and flight systems developed in recent years are presented to show the performance of the PPT. Studies about how electrode structures, discharge circuits, propellant materials, energy discharge method, propellant feed method, ignition method and number of thruster heads influence the PPT performance are presented and analyzed. The ignitor design method, ignition process and propellant carbonization are introduced to discuss the reliability and lifetime issues in PPTs. The modeling methods of the discharge circuit, as well as ablation, ionization and acceleration in PPTs are presented. Finally, the application of PPTs in the future is analyzed and some suggestions for PPT development are proposed.

中文翻译：

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脉冲等离子推进器的应用与发展

本文综述了近年来脉冲等离子推进器（PPT）的应用和发展。讨论了PPT的优点。介绍了PPT的示意图，推进性能参数和关键物理过程。介绍了一些近年来开发的具有代表性的PPT产品和飞行系统，以展示PPT的性能。提出并分析了电极结构，放电电路，推进剂材料，能量放电方法，推进剂进料方法，点火方法和推进器头数对PPT性能的影响。介绍了点火器的设计方法，点火过程和推进剂碳化，以讨论PPT的可靠性和寿命问题。放电电路的建模方法以及烧蚀，介绍了PPT中的电离和加速。最后，分析了PPT在未来的应用，并对PPT的发展提出了一些建议。