Satellite Positive Ion Beam System.

Abstract

The Satellite Positive Ion Beam System (SPIBS) instrument is being developed as a charge ejection payload for the Air Force Satellite P78-2 (Satellite Charging At High Altitude). SPIBS will allow controlled ejection of xenon ions as part of the systematic investigation of satellite charging. Ion Beam currents of about 0.3 and 1.0 mA are obtained at a beam voltage of 1 kV; currents of about 0.7, 1.4, and 2.0 mA are obtained at 2 kV. Redundant filament neutralizers are provided to allow full or partial beam neutralization and an independent source of electrons. These neutralizers can be biased at ten levels from -1 kV to +1 kV with respect to satellite ground. This paper describes the engineering model design, and presents ion source, expellant, and power processor test results. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 02, 1977
Accession Number
ADA051154

Entities

People

  • H. A. Cohen
  • T. D. Masek

Organizations

  • HRL Laboratories

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Assembly
  • Blowoff
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Engineering
  • High Altitude
  • Ion Beams
  • Ion Sources
  • Ions
  • Measurement
  • Spacecraft
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites