Time-Dependent Computer Model of Plasma Space Charge Interactions with a Finite-Cylindrical Spacecraft.

Abstract

A computer program has been developed for the study of the time-dependent behavior of the sheaths and charging effects of spacecraft with finite-cylinder ('pillbox') geometry. The behavior of ions and electrons is simulated by following representative computer particles in time. During each time step the particles are moved, their space charge is computed, and the electric potential distribution is updated. The development is original. A number of sample runs show that current collection and space charge behavior can be computed as functions of time. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 31, 1979
Accession Number
ADA084892

Entities

People

  • Lee W. Parker

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Charge Density
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Difference Equations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Simulations
  • Space Charge
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Steady State
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster