Spacecraft Potential Calculations -- A Model.

Abstract

A simple model for calculating the potential on a spacecraft by balancing the currents to and from the spacecraft surface is developed. The model, calibrated using ATS-5 plasma data during periods when the satellite was in the earth's shadow, is used to predict potentials on a shadowed, electrically isolated surface at geosynchronous orbit as a function of local time. Potentials are also predicted as the spacecraft moves into and out of the earth's shadow. The results indicate accuracies of + or - 800 V over a range of 10,000 V. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 05, 1978
Accession Number
ADA060151

Entities

People

  • Henry B. Garrett

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Geophysics
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Spacecraft
  • Tank Guns
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects