"The Mini-Mag system uses a magnetic field in order to trigger an explosion of compressed material in the form of small pellets weighing several grams. This explosion, although being significantly weaker than a nuclear explosion, creates plasma that is directed through a magnetic nozzle to generate vehicle thrust. The proposed technology enables the production of thrust at high efficiency, hopefully allowing drastic reduction of interplanetary travel time. According to calculations performed by AS&T, this type of propulsion system can produce the same thrust as the Space Shuttle Main Engine, with 50 times more efficiency.

Due to the magnetic compression thrust technology, spacecraft could be smaller and light.

More than ever I'm convinced we REALLY need to reduce the transit times if we ever hope to send biologicals to the planets, esp Jupiter & Saturn's satellites. This system, unlike other low thrust schemes (e.g. ion, solar sails, solar mag) delivers high thrust and high ISP. Higher thrust than VASIMIR.