Real-Time, Automatic Vehicle-Potential Determination from ESA measurements: The Count-Ratio Algorithm

Abstract

Data from the P78-2 satellite has been used to develop a technique utilizing electrostatic analyzer (ESA) ion count measurements to provide a real-time determination of satellite vehicle potential. The algorithm, which was developed for real-time implementation by space vehicle microprocessors, is based on a comparison of ion counts in adjacent ESA channels and has proved highly successful in detecting vehicle charging. Keywords: Reprints, Spacecraft charging, High altitudes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA208719

Entities

People

  • H. A. Cohen
  • M. S. Gussenhoven
  • N. A. Saflekos
  • R. J. Raistrick
  • S. L. Spiegel

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Analyzers
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Automatic
  • Charged Particles
  • Classification
  • Databases
  • Electrostatic Analyzers
  • High Resolution
  • Massachusetts
  • Measurement
  • Security
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Time Intervals
  • United States
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster