Hints Towards the Origin of an EMI Source for Small Satellites: Pulsed GHz Emission from Hall Thrusters

Hall thrusters are a proven technology for electric propulsion of satellites. However, pulsed G Hz emission from these thrusters makes their implementation on small platforms a potential risk for satellite subsystems. In this work, a statistical characterization of this emission is performed, and a connection with low-frequency instabilities of the discharge is investigated for different thrusters or configurations. The consistency of this connection is confirmed, in particular, in the form of a spectral dependence of the pulses on the phase of these low-frequency instabilities. This result is an additional step in the search for the physical origin of this emission, and the potential perspective of eliminating such an EMI source.