Plasma Interactions with Spacecraft

Abstract

The objective of this contract is to develop, incorporate, test, and validate new algorithms for Nascap-2k that are needed to self-consistently compute plasma transport and to model electromagnetic radiation in the near-to mid-field from VLF (3 kHz to 30 kHz) antennas. The plasma flow models can be used to address various plasma engineering concerns including surface discharges due to meteoroid impact and spacecraft contamination due to electric propulsion plasma plume effects. The goal of this effort is to provide a plasma engineering capability to the spacecraft community. During the first two years of this contract, progress was made on Nascap-2k development, particularly charging with time-dependent bias values, macroparticle splitting and injection, and algorithm development of charging with tabular spectra generated by magnetospheric models.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 16, 2007
Accession Number
ADA471726

Entities

People

  • B. M. Gardner
  • M. J. Mandell
  • R. A. Kuharski
  • S. L. Huston
  • V.a. Davis

Organizations

  • Leidos

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contracts
  • Current Density
  • Data Transmission
  • Electric Fields
  • Engineering
  • Geometry
  • Grids
  • Materials
  • Operating Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster