The Roles of VxB and Density Gradients in Plasma Electric Fields Measured from the Shuttle Orbiter.
Abstract
Plasma electric fields due to motion through the geomagnetic field and to density gradients are of the same order of magnitude in the wake of shuttle sized objects. Density gradient fields dominate in the wakes of smaller satellites while vxB fields dominate behind larger structures. Supporting experimental data is cited. Computational results (calculated using the spacecraft charging code POLAR) which demonstrate the roles of the two fields in the wake are also presented. Keywords: Spacecraft Charging; Auroral Ionosphere; Plasma Flow; Satellite Electric Fields; POLAR Computer Code; Plasma Electric Fields; Satellite Wakes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA165230
Entities
People
- D. L. Cooke
- I. Katz
- J. R. Lilley Jr.