In this paper we present the results of experimental studies of the gas-discharge hollow cathode (0.2-0.5 A) for low-power Hall thrusters (LPHET). Measurement campaign has been directed to construct a cathode with minimal power and gas consumption. Cathodes, which do not need the starting preheating system and for which the heating by glow discharge in working conditions is used, have the advantage of very simple construction and therefore will be objects of the reported research. It has been shown that the highest cathode performances were achieved: for Xe pressure inside cathode in the range 40 ÷ 60 torr and for emitter current density in the range 15 ÷ 25 A/cm². Direct firing tests of cathode emitters in the laboratory conditions, but close to real in the space, carried over more than 1000 hours are presented. It was found that the cathode power supply level did not exceed 5 W and the xenon mass flow rate supplying cathode was not greater than 0.05 mg/s.
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