High Voltage Solar Array Models and Shuttle Tile Charging,
Abstract
This paper described NASCAP/LEO (NASA Charging Analyzer Program/Low Earth Orbit) a 3-D computer code that simulates the interaction of space plasma with high-voltage solar arrays in the thin plasma sheath regime. The code requires information about the object and the ambient plasma. The geometric description, the material composition and the voltage distribution versus time of a solar array are the data required about the object. The plasma properties needed are the composition, density, and temperature. NASCAP/LEO will then provide the time-dependent current to each element of area of the array from the external plasma. The NASCAP/LEO output is provided in both three-dimensional computer graphics and in numerical form. NASCAP/LEO is user-oriented and wil provide potential distributions around the object, the currents to each of the conductors, and graphical details of the sheath and particle trajectories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 25, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP002123
Entities
People
- Allan M. Rubin
- N. J. Stevens
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory