Approach to EMI Effects of Electric Propulsion

Abstract

Electric Propulsion has undoubted advantages that are leading the industry toward an increasing use in the whole space sector. However, EP causes several specific EMI effects w.r.t. Chemical Propulsion due to the completely different nature of such thrusters. Such “novel” effects are mainly driven by the EM interaction between the thrusters and the relative plasma plume with the S\C. These EMI effects drive the accommodation of S/C antennas, thruster, harness and selection of external materials (thermal blanket, mirrors). This paper shows the approaches adopted by TAS-I Rome for the assessment of the EMI effects which, potentially, have a more significant impact on S\C configuration. In particular: Radiated Emission and RF interactions. In the following, a brief introduction on the approach adopted for such effects is presented.