Atmospheric Effects on the Time-Varying Photoelectron Flux from Satellite Surfaces.
Abstract
Satellites in geosynchronous orbit have been found to vary rapidly in potential as they pass into the earth's shadow. The cause of this effect is known to be the loss of the photoelectron flux from the satellite surface. A material-dependent model of this emission process based on detailed models of the attenuation of the sunlight and the photoelectron emission as a function of wavelength will be presented. The model is found to agree in detail with actual measurements of photoelectron emission from tungsten. The computer code included in the Appendix is readily adaptable to a number of materials and situations where the detailed absorption of sunlight as a function of altitude is required. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA092446
Entities
People
- H. B. Garrett
- Jeffrey M. Forbes
Organizations
- Boston College