Design, Fabricate and Test Spacecraft Automatic Active Discharge System (SAADS).

Abstract

The objective of this contract is the design, fabrication, and testing of a Spacecraft Automatic Active Discharge System (SAADS) which will attempt to automatically control and dissipate the vehicle charge as a function of natural or induced disturbances in space. A microporcessor based controller will monitor and manipulate data from a Proton Electrostatic Analyzer (ESA) to determine if the vehicle charge is greater than a predetermined value and then activate a Plasma Source ot discharge the vehicle. The plasma source short circuits the charge. This equipment is to be flown as part of the BERT I payload to demonstrate the feasibility of the system for eventual use in a satellite in a true space environment. Keywords: Microprocessor programmer, Proton electostatic analyzer, Plasma source.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 25, 1985
Accession Number
ADA166559

Entities

People

  • Robert S. Hills

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analyzers
  • Computers
  • Contracts
  • Data Storage Systems
  • Electrostatic Analyzers
  • Feedback Amplifiers
  • Government Furnished Equipment
  • High Resolution
  • High Voltage
  • Host Computers
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Microprocessors
  • Monitors
  • Personal Computers
  • Space Environments
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers