Charge Control of Geosynchronous Spacecraft Using Field Effect Emitters

Abstract

*Space Systems Loral is conducting an lR&D program to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of field effect electron emitters for potential control of geosynchronous altitude spacecraft. This electron emitters will be based on Spindt Cathode Field Emission Array Technologies. The configuration studied here consists of two emitters, each with an area of about 1 cm2 and emitting up to 1 mA of electrons at approximately 50eV energy. We show that it appears feasible to use electron emitters to control the surface charge of a satellite. Results concerning the placement and effectiveness of emitters and the spacecraft potential configuration under substorm conditions with and without emitter operations in sunlight, in eclipse, and during eclipse exit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA472799

Entities

People

  • A. T. Wheelock
  • B. M. Gardner
  • D. L. Cooke
  • F. K. Wong
  • M. J. Mandell
  • R. C. Adamo
  • V. A. Davis

Organizations

  • Leidos

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Emitters
  • Engineering
  • Field Emission
  • Photoelectric Emission
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Charge
  • Space Objects
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electronics Engineering
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites