Environment-induced electrostatic discharges as the cause of Voyager1 power-on resets

A Proposed Two-Stage Two-Tether Scientific Mission at Jupiter

“…This can be done by using the simple relationship that electron fluence(dcm 2 ) = 2.4 x 107 • dose (rad-Si). As a rule [15], 10 10 e/cm 2 in less than 10 h could cause a discharge.…”

“…In particular, surface charging and internal electrostatic discharge (IESD) are possible concerns, which, in particular, might possibly disrupt science. As discussed in previous [15], [16] studies, however, surface charging is normally only a limited concern above the Jovian auroral zone and, to a lesser extent, along the magnetic field lines that connect the auroral zone to Jovian plasma equator. As described in [16], however, these surface potentials are likely to be less than a few kilovolts and are easily controlled (note that they represent a net system potential relative to the plasma and a plasma contactor should suffice to ground them out).…”

“…As described in [16], however, these surface potentials are likely to be less than a few kilovolts and are easily controlled (note that they represent a net system potential relative to the plasma and a plasma contactor should suffice to ground them out). IESD [15] is a known and real concern for Jovian missions and is also the result of radiation-high-energy (> 100 keV) electrons preferentially penetrate the SC shielding relative to protons and ions and build up charge on isolated conductors or in dielectrics. As reported in [15], the charge collected can build up sufficiently to cause arcs and likely resulted in 42 anomalies on Voyager 1.…”

“…IESD [15] is a known and real concern for Jovian missions and is also the result of radiation-high-energy (> 100 keV) electrons preferentially penetrate the SC shielding relative to protons and ions and build up charge on isolated conductors or in dielectrics. As reported in [15], the charge collected can build up sufficiently to cause arcs and likely resulted in 42 anomalies on Voyager 1. As in the case of typical radiation effects, shielding can reduce IESD.…”

Space weather and space anomalies

“…Typically, there are 1-10 anomalies reported per spacecraft per year. However, if one chooses anomaly criteria to include even improper temporary operation of a subsystem, then hundreds of events per year may be found in one satellite (Leung et al, 1986;Koons and Gorney, 1991;Violet and Fredrickson, 1993).…”