Electrically controlled solid chemical propulsion: A review

• Comprehensive review of electrically controlled solid propulsion technology. • A promising electric-chemical coupling propellant for intelligent propulsion. • Demonstration of the electrochemical mechanism for controllable combustion. • Novel application concepts that may be of interest to researchers in various fields. Electrically controlled solid propellant (ECSP), as a novel solid propellant, provides approaches for intelligent solid propulsion systems due to its on-demand switching on–off ability and programmable thrust output characteristics with electrical signals. The technological innovation and explanation of scientific issues have taken a leap step forward with a decade of development. Thus, a brand-new comprehensive summary of this emerging controllable solid propulsion will facilitate people's understanding of this interesting technology. This review tries to present the major research milestones and momentous information since the birth of ECSP, including formulation design and manufacturing of propellant, controlled combustion diagnosis, combustion mechanism and various interesting-potential applications. Importantly, we aim to summarize and critically evaluate the hitherto efforts, in the hope that relevant researchers can gain some inspiration to promote technological advancements.