Conclusive evidence for internal dielectric charging anomalies on geosynchronous communications spacecraft

Wrenn, G. L.

doi:10.2514/3.26645

Cited by 154 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The clear increase in energetic electron flux is highly indicative of internal charging as a source. Similar behavior was also reported by Wrenn (1995) for a classified UK defense satellite during the 1990's. Furthermore the energetic electron flux before the failures of the primary and back-up processors on the Equator-S mission strongly suggest that internal charging led to this total satellite loss.…”

Section: Electrostatic Surface and Internal Chargingsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Numerous other studies [e.g., Reagan et al, 1983;Robinson et al, 1989;Wrenn, 1995] have shown the clear role played by high energy electrons in many classes of spacecraft operational problems. Moreover, the quantitative 293 level of radiation needed to produce deep-dielectric discharges has been rather clearly established in laboratory and spacecraft studies [e.g., Vampola, 1987].…”

Section: High Energy Electronsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the hazards to spacecraft from electrostatic charging , Fredrickson, 1996, Wrenn, 1995 and to ground-based power networks from induced current surges Albertson, 1990, Lanzerotti, 1979). But these are just the "tip of the iceberg" of more numerous, less well-publicized problems and implications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Space Storms and Space Weather Hazards

Daglis¹

2001

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Subject Terms Report Classification unclassified Classification of this page unclassified Classification of Abstract unclassified Limitation of Abstract UU Number of Pages 486REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, -to review recent spacecraft measurements that have provided new insight into the dynamics and effects of space storms; -to review space weather hazards associated with space storms and pertinent to the operation of technological systems in space and on ground;-to discuss and assess methods of space weather forecasting, as well as national and international initiatives towards an efficient development of space climatology.Space weather, the invisible but nevertheless effective result of solar activity and solar-terrestrial coupling, has affected the operations of communication systems since the appearance of telegraph in the 19th century, though as an unknown trouble factor. Nowadays, the effects of space weather affect in various ways all communication modes, from cable to wireless to space-based systems. Moreover, space weather hazards include malfunction or even permanent damage of power distribution grids and of telecommunication, navigation and surveillance satellites, disturbances of over-the-horizon (OTH) radar, HF, VHF and UHF communications, surveying and navigation systems that use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, surveillance (optical and radar), and satellite tracking. Space weather influences on the Earth's weather and climate is still a developing topic. Little is known concerning the biological effects of space weather, especially regarding astronauts.This Institute could not be timelier. Space Weather, which has been defined as "conditions on the sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space-and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life", encompasses a broad range of phenomena impacting both space science and technology. The effects of Space Weather, while present throughout the solar cycle, gain particular prominence around the peak of the 11-year sunspot activity; the maximum of cycle 23 occurred in summer 2000.The fact that this ASI on Space Weather was held in Europe is particularly appropriate. European countries host a considerable repository of knowledge and world-class facilities in this field. Nevertheless, while Space Weather activities in c...

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Section: Electrostatic Surface and Internal Chargingsupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: High Energy Electronsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Space Storms and Space Weather Hazards

Daglis¹

2001

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“…This repeated mode of switching on a GEO communications satellite has been reported (Wrenn, 1995), together with evidence for establishing internal charging as the cause. The ESD sensitivity of the affected circuitry was obviously not a design feature.…”

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confidence: 99%

A solar cycle of spacecraft anomalies due to internal charging

2002

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Abstract.It is important to appreciate how the morphology of internal charging of spacecraft systems, due to penetrating electrons, differs from that of the more common surface charging, due to electrons with lower energy. A specific and recurrent anomaly on a geostationary communication satellite has been tracked for ten years so that solar cycle and seasonal dependencies can be clearly established. Concurrent measurements of sunspot number, solar wind speed and 2-day >2 MeV electron fluence are presented to highlight pertinent space weather relationships, and the importance of understanding the complex particle interaction processes involved.

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“…This variability is caused by an imbalance between source, transport, and loss processes, all of which become enhanced during geomagnetic storms [Horne, 2002;Summers et al, 2004Summers et al, , 2007Thorne et al, 2005;Horne et al, 2006]. Understanding this variability is important since enhanced fluxes of relativistic electrons damage spacecraft [Wrenn, 1995;Baker, 2001;Wrenn et al, 2002] and are a risk to humans in space. Indeed, as society becomes ever more reliant on its assets in space, there is an increasing need to improve our knowledge of the processes governing the behavior of these so-called ''killer'' electrons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slot region electron loss timescales due to plasmaspheric hiss and lightning‐generated whistlers

et al. 2007

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[1] Energetic electrons (E > 100 keV) in the Earth's radiation belts undergo Dopplershifted cyclotron resonant interactions with a variety of whistler mode waves leading to pitch angle scattering and subsequent loss to the atmosphere. In this study we assess the relative importance of plasmaspheric hiss and lightning-generated whistlers in the slot region and beyond. Electron loss timescales are determined using the Pitch Angle and energy Diffusion of Ions and Electrons (PADIE) code with global models of the spectral distributions of the wave power based on CRRES observations. Our results show that plasmaspheric hiss propagating at small and intermediate wave normal angles is a significant scattering agent in the slot region and beyond. In contrast, plasmaspheric hiss propagating at large wave normal angles and lightning-generated whistlers do not contribute significantly to radiation belt loss. The loss timescale of 2 MeV electrons due to plasmaspheric hiss propagating at small and intermediate wave normal angles in the center of the slot region (L = 2.5) lies in the range 1-10 days, consistent with recent Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) observations. Wave turbulence in space, which is responsible for the generation plasmaspheric hiss, thus leads to the formation of the slot region. During active periods, losses due to plasmaspheric hiss may occur on a timescale of 1 day or less for a wide range of energies, 200 keV < E < 1 MeV, in the region 3.5 < L < 4.0. Plasmaspheric hiss may thus also be a significant loss process in the inner region of the outer radiation belt during magnetically disturbed periods.Citation: Meredith, N. P., R. B. Horne, S. A. Glauert, and R. R. Anderson (2007), Slot region electron loss timescales due to plasmaspheric hiss and lightning-generated whistlers,

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Conclusive evidence for internal dielectric charging anomalies on geosynchronous communications spacecraft

Cited by 154 publications

References 17 publications

Space Storms and Space Weather Hazards

Space Storms and Space Weather Hazards

A solar cycle of spacecraft anomalies due to internal charging

Slot region electron loss timescales due to plasmaspheric hiss and lightning‐generated whistlers

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