Space Power Experiments Aboard Rockets SPEAR-3.
Abstract
The SPEAR-3 program was a sounding rocket payload designed to study the interaction of a charged body with the Earth's upper atmosphere with particular reference to the discharging ability of selected active devices carried on the payload. Since some of the devices and natural outgassing provide a source of gaseous effluent release, instrumentation was included to study effluent dispersion around the payload. it was found that neutral gas release was most effective at discharging the payload when it was more negative than 500 V. Electron emission was effective only when the currents driving the body negative were lower than the limited current available from the low perveance devices used. The hollow cathode was an ineffective grounding system on this flight due to cathode poisoning believed to have occurred during the vehicle ascent. The grounding data and HV interactions were diagnosed by a variety of instruments measuring both steady state and transient currents and voltages.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA327734
Entities
People
- W. J. Raitt
Organizations
- Utah State University