Nascap-2k Spacecraft-Plasma Environment Interactions Modeling: New Capabilities and Verification
Abstract
Nascap-2k is a three-dimensional computer code that models interactions between spacecraft and plasma environments in low-Earth, auroral, geosynchronous, and interplanetary orbits. Previously, we reported on the accuracy of Nascap-2k's charging and current collections calculations by comparing computed currents and potentials with analytic results, and by comparing Nascap-2k results with published calculations using the earlier lower resolution codes, NASCAP/GEO, NASCAP/LEO, and POLAR. Here we examine the accuracy and limitations of two new capabilities of Nascap-2k: modeling of plasma plumes such as generated by electric thrusters and enhanced PIC computational capabilities. Nascap-2k models one or more ion engine plumes in full three-dimensional geometry, including plume-plume plume-spacecraft interactions. The primary thruster beam, parameters describing the neutral efflux, and the initial charge-exchange plume are imported from a Plume Tool generated file. Nascap-2k generates and tracks charge-exchange ions to obtain plasma densities and calculates potentials consistent with plasma densities and object surfaces. Nascap-2k's PIC capability has been expanded to include boundary injection, particle splitting, and substep charge deposition. We use calculations for simple geometries to explore the accuracy and limitations of these capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472880
Entities
People
- D. C. Ferguson
- D. L. Cooke
- M. J. Mandell
- V. A. Davis
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory