This Handbook describes the guidelines and recommendations for the design and test of RF components and equipment to achieve acceptable performance with respect to multipactor-free operation in service in space. This document is the mirror document of the ECSS-ST-20-01 normative document. Thus it includes the same contents as the normative text and has the same structure.

This Handbook is intended to result in the effective design and verification of the multipactor performance of the equipment and consequently in a high confidence in achieving successful product operation.

This Handbook covers multipactor events occurring in all classes of RF satellite components and equipment at all frequency bands of interest. Operation in single carrier CW and pulse modulated mode are included, as well as multi-carrier operations. A detailed chapter on secondary emission yield is also included.

This Handbook does not include breakdown processes caused by collisional processes, such as plasma formation.