Effects of a Time-Varying Photoelectron Flux on Spacecraft Potential.

Abstract

Analysis of plasma data from the geosynchronous satellites ATS-5 and ATS-6 shows that the satellites vary rapidly in potential as they pass into and out of the earth's shadow. These variations result from the loss of photoelectrons as the sun is eclipsed. A model of this phenomemon which includes the effects of atmospheric attenuation of the solar flux between 1000 A and 3000 A and spacecraft charge buildup is used to predict the potential variations observed by ATS-5 and ATS-6. The model predicts potentials within + or - 700 V of the observed potentials in the range -100 V to -10,000 V. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 1978
Accession Number
ADA058993

Entities

People

  • Henry Berry Garrett

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheres
  • Atmospheric Attenuation
  • Attenuation
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Databases
  • Electron Emission
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Grids
  • Latitude
  • Photoelectrons
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space