Magnetic circuit design of high-power Hall thruster

Beijing Engineering Research Center of Efficient and Green Aerospace Propulsion Technology Beijing Institute of Control Engineering, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute of Control Engineering, Beijing, China

Published online: 13 April 2026

Abstract

High-power Hall thrusters constitute a prominent propulsion method for contemporary deep space exploration missions, yet there remains a scarcity of models adequately suited for space applications. The magnetic circuit of a Hall thruster plays a pivotal role in shaping the magnetic field configuration within the discharge chamber, thereby influencing the thruster’s performance. This paper aims to undertake the design of a magnetic circuit for a high-power Hall thruster, initiating from a thoroughly flight-validated medium-power model. Employing scaling methods, a preliminary magnetic circuit for a 10 kW high-power Hall thruster is designed. Leveraging previously established high-efficiency and high-quality magnetic circuit optimization techniques, an optimized magnetic circuit is attained, resulting in a 24.6% reduction in magnetic circuit mass, a decrease in the magnetic tilt angle from beyond 20° to within 6°, a 10.5% increase in maximum magnetic field strength, and a 19.6% enhancement in magnetic field gradient. The magnetic circuit design for the 10 kW thruster is accomplished, with the projected thrust increase reaching 480% and specific impulse improvement by 20%. The magnetic circuit, designed using finite element methods to precisely match magnetic field requirements, has demonstrated favorable outcomes, validating the effectiveness of the approach.