Space debris impact induced discharge and its radio emission characteristics

Small space debris impact induced discharge (SSDIID) and the subsequent electromagnetic interference is regarded as big threat to spacecraft safety. Using the on-ground simulation facility, the characteristic of SSDIID has been to some extent clarified, however, the relationship between impact induced discharge and the elec-tromagnetic emission still remains elusive. In this work, we carry out the on-ground experimental simulation for the SSDIID and reveal its electromagnetic interference characteristics using the hypervelocity impact facility which comprises a plasma driving small space debris accelerator. We give the characteristics of the radio fre-quency radiation signal of SSDIID and analyze the interactions between the pulse electric field and the impact induced plasma. Specifically, we demonstrate that the impact induced discharge event can lead to very strong electromagnetic interference for the sensor circuit, which could be one fatal hazard for the spacecraft circuit system.