Electric jet engines using metal plasma offer a number of advantages over other satellite engines. Vacuum arc engines use a solid metallic fuel; therefore, they have a very compact design.

Since the cathode material is in the solid phase, there can be no fuel loss due to leakage; such engines do not pose any threat to the satellite due to a possible explosion of a compressed gas tank. In addition, there are no valves or gas meters, i.e. the components adding to the system complexity and cost. The spacecraft can be easily controlled by controlling the pulsed engine switching frequency.

Yuzhnoye developed an annular jet engine based on metal plasma. The design is based on an electric arc metal evaporator, similar to evaporators for applying coatings using the vacuum arc deposition method. A metal plasma annular electric arc jet engine can be used for satellite orbit raise, in space debris removal systems, and in aircraft requiring high thrust for a long time.

Advantages of a radial jet electric arc metal-plasma-based motor as compared with counterparts: