Potential Modulations on SCATHA (Spacecraft Charging at High Altitude) Spacecraft.

Abstract

A small (1 volt) modulation of the spacecraft potential is observed on the SCATHA satellite through its effects on four instruments, two particle detectors and two field detectors. We show that there is a strong causal link between the modulation of the potential at this 1 volt level and a nonuniform distribution of the photoemissive properties of the conducting material on the surface of the satellite. Keywords: Charging; Thermal Plasma; Satellite Potential.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1986
Accession Number
ADA176815

Entities

People

  • D. R. Croley Jr.
  • Joseph F. Fennell
  • P. D. Craven
  • R. C. Olsen
  • T. Aggson

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Charged Particles
  • Detectors
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Materials
  • Modulation
  • Particles
  • Photoelectric Emission
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites