Abstract: A kind of miniaturized barium-tungsten hollow cathode with long-life and high-reliability for electric propulsion system is introduced, and the structure design, simulation calculation and test results of the barium-tungsten hollow cathode are given in detail. The results show that the ignition starting power of the barium-tungsten hollow cathode is equal or lesser than 30 W, the cathode emission current is from 0.5 A to 2.0 A, and the required xenon flow rate is equal or lesser than 1.2 mL/min. It can meet the requirement of 20000 times of starting, and also has a high reliability mechanical structure.