In this paper an overview is given on a numerical simulation program for applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters which is currently under development at the Institute of Space Systems (IRS). The simulation code for argon plasma flows in thermal and chemical non-equilibrium uses an axisymmetric finite volume scheme on unstructured, adaptive meshes. The external magnetic field is taken into account employing the vector potential formulation. Azimuthal velocity and magnetic field are handled by a quasi-three dimensional approach with vanishing azimuthal derivatives. Besides the numerical analysis, a radiation-cooled laboratory model of an applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster is under development at IRS. The modular design allows adjustments of the thruster to find an optimized thruster geometry based on numerical and experimental results
