The evolution of arcjet thruster modeling to its current state of development is traced, and the most pressing theoretical uncertainties in the way of further progress are discussed. The thrust-producing mechanism is well understood, and so is the general energy balance, leading to voltage prediction, provided anodic attachment is separately known. This particular problem is discussed in some detail. It is argued that three-dimensional arc root constriction is a very likely cause of at least some of the observed anode behavior, and should be theoretically investigated. Other issues examined are electron-molecule interactions, species segregation, and thermomechanical effects.
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Martı́nez-Sánchez et al. (1996) studied this question.