Current Collection and Ambient Plasma Measurement During Electron Beam Emission at Near Geosynchronous Altitudes

Abstract

This paper discusses spacecraft interactions during electron beam emissions from a spacecraft rotating in sunlight. We present an improved Langmuir probe equation for the current collection by the SCATHA satellite. The equation yields results on ambient plasma density and temperature. The results compare favorable with the very few measurements obtained by other methods on the elusive ambient plasma at near geosynchronous altitudes. Spacecraft charging, Spacecraft interactions, Electron beam, Ion beam, Geosynchronous, SCATHA.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 13, 1994
Accession Number
ADA277097

Entities

People

  • Shu T. Lai

Organizations

  • Phillips Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Geometry
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Langmuir Probes
  • Measurement
  • Photoelectrons
  • Secondary Emission
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites