Sheath Ionization Model of Beam Emissions from Large Spacecrafts,

Abstract

An analytical model of the charging of a spacecraft emitting electron and ion beams has been applied to the case of large spacecraft. In this model, ionization occurs in the sheath due to the return current. Charge neutralization of spherical space charge flow is examined by solving analytical equations numerically. Parametric studies of potential of large spacecraft are performed. As in the case of small spacecraft, the ions created in the sheath by the returning current play a large role in determining spacecraft potential. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 30, 1983
Accession Number
ADA137181

Entities

People

  • H. A. Cohen
  • K. H. Bhavnani
  • M. Tautz
  • S. T. Lai

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Charge Density
  • Collisions
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Environment
  • Equations
  • Geophysics
  • Ionosphere
  • Space Charge
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Standards
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster