Artificial Injection of Electrons into the Geomagnetic Field
Abstract
Study revealed that a satellite will require a payload capability of about 1000 pounds in order to carry an electron accelerator with the desired characteristics. Two different types of accelerators are required, each for specific experiments. There are commercial accelerators which would be suitable for the injection experiments. One is a 1-mev pulsed accelerator, 100 amps for 4 x 10 to the -6 power sec with a repetition rate of about one per second. The other is a 1-mev d-c accelerator with an output current of 10 to the -3 power amps. The electron injection and trapping will not be seriously affected by either satellite charging or the diamagnetic field of the injected electrons. At altitudes greater than about four earth radii, magnetic shells can be filled with trapped electrons, and their trapping lifetime can be subsequently measured. The bounce time of trapped electrons can be measured to an accuracy of better than 1%. The geographic position of magnetic conjugate points can be measured, but the accuracy of the measurements is dependent on the type of radar system employed in the experiment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0261183
Entities
People
- David D. Elliott
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space