An early Centrifugal Magnetic Mirror propulsion concept could achieve 1 to 10 newtons of thrust with 10,000 to 30000 ISP. This would be propulsion that is 30 to 100 times more fuel efficient than chemical propulsion.

The magnetic mirror is the simplest form of steady magnetic confinement, and centrifugal rotation at supersonic speeds makes it a promising fusion reactor candidate for its stability, engineering simplicity, and expected affordability with respect to other fusion concepts.

Simple mirrors are known to be unstable at thermonuclear conditions. Imposed supersonic rotation stabilizes them and helps heat the plasma all the way to fusion temperatures. The primary goal in CMFX is to achieve high temperatures, with better density control and longer steady discharges than in the previous generation. CMFX is an intermediate but important step in the development of a centrifugal mirror reactor, and success in this program will enable a fast path toward the goal of commercial fusion reactors.