The research program investigated non-equilibrium plasmas with a variety of simple gases for the purpose of obtaining experimental data that can be used to anchor analytical models of flowing plasmas suitable for various electric propulsion devices. A microwave plasma generator(MPG) operating. at .2.45GHz and 3kW was the initial source of the plasmas. The working fluids included: argon, helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The research also included investigation of several MHD devices placed at the outlet of the MPG to accelerate the plasmas to velocities of interest for propulsion so that the plasma plume data could be obtained in representative environments. Diagnostic methods included Langmuir probes and a Rayleigh scattering technique. The latter experienced poor signal to noise ratios that are believed to be a result of the small vacuum bell jar in which the experiments were conducted. Electron densities and other key parameters are presented for the range of working fluids and acceleration devices.