Spacecraft Charging Effects
Abstract
This review describes how spacecraft surfaces be come electrostatically charged in their interaction with incident space radiations, and discusses the consequential effects which can have dramatic impact on operations. An extensive chronicle of in-orbit 'anomalies' has now been gathered for geosynchronous satellites and it is possible to search for links between the timing and frequency of these 'events', flux measurements of charging particles, and solar terrestrial sources. This is a difficult exercise, due to the scarcity of suitable data, but results from European Space Agency METEOSAT and MARECS satellites are presented to define the boundary conditions of the problem. Special consideration of 'differential charging' and 'deep dielectric charging', with likely modes of breakdown, highlights the roles of energetic electrons, cold plasma concentration and secondary emission yields; while an outline of recommended prevention techniques stresses the merit of improved solar- geomagnetic predictions. Spacecraft charging; Geomagnetism; Circuits; 'ESD' (electrostatic Discharge); Electromagnetic interference; Protection; Great Britain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA221461
Entities
People
- G. L. Wrenn
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment