Critical Temperature for the Onset of Spacecraft Charging -- The Full Story

Abstract

The onset of spacecraft charging at geosynchronous altitudes occurs at a critical value of the space plasma electron temperature for a given spacecraft surface. Observations on LANL satellites show that the onset of charging occurs at a critical temperature in almost every charging event, no matter which satellite, which year and which month. The critical temperature values remain the same no matter in eclipse or sunlight. The satellite observations have confirmed the existence of critical temperature and the order of magnitude of the temperature values. Surface properties in space and in the laboratory are uncertain.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA485159

Entities

People

  • Shu T.F. Lai

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Critical Temperature
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Photoelectrons
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Space Plasmas
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Sunlight

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites