Simulation of the microwave propagation through the plume of a Hall thruster integrated on small spacecraft

More and more CubeSats are being launched. On these small platforms, subsystems such as propulsion and communication ones have to coexist. This article focuses on electromagnetic interaction between these two critical subsystems. Hence, a numerical multi-physics method is proposed in order to quantify perturbation caused by an electric thruster's plume on the antenna of a CubeSat type spacecraft. A plume simulation model has been coupled with electromagnetic simulation software. As an example, the farfield radiation patterns and radioelectric characteristics of a 436 MHz dipole are presented when located near a Hall thruster's plume on a 6U type platform. Changes in radiation patterns are observed in the presence of plume for the dipole antenna. This versatile method makes it possible to represent microwave propagation through a plume for various antennas, thruster's plumes, or relative positions. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

This article focuses on the electromagnetic interaction between the propulsion and communication subsystems on CubeSats. It proposes a numerical multi-physics method to quantify the disturbance caused by an electric thruster's plume on the antenna of a CubeSat. By coupling a plume simulation model with electromagnetic simulation software, the changes in radiation patterns and radioelectric characteristics of a dipole antenna near a Hall thruster's plume on a 6U platform are analyzed. This versatile method allows for representation of microwave propagation through a plume for various antennas, thruster's plumes, or relative positions.