Interaction of Charged Spacecraft with Electric Propulsion Plume: On Orbit Data and Ground Test Results

Likar, Justin J.; Bogorad, A.; Malko, T.R.; Goodzeit, Neil E.; Galofaro, Joel; Mandell, M. J.

doi:10.1109/tns.2006.885107

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The correlation along the thrust axis suggests a diamagnetic effect where the plasma in the thruster plume partially cancels the local magnetic field. This interpretation is supported by plume plasma density and temperature estimates and a basic derivation of the expected diamagnetic response (Califf et al, ; Likar et al, ; Pollard et al, ). There is a spatial dependence to the offsets in the E and N components determined by measurements from each thruster at the IB and OB magnetometers that suggests that the offsets are driven by plasma pressure gradients within the expanding thruster plume.…”

Section: Arcjet Signature In the Magnetometer Data And Correlation Wimentioning

confidence: 82%

Correcting the Arcjet Thruster Disturbance in GOES‐16 Magnetometer Data

et al. 2020

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The GOES-R series magnetometers provide observations of the Earth's magnetic field at geostationary orbit for operational use by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center. The GOES-R spacecraft use arcjet thrusters for orbital stationkeeping, and the partially ionized thruster plume creates a relatively large (~20 nT) disturbance in the magnetometer data. This study presents a correction algorithm that removes the arcjet signal from the magnetometer data. The algorithm is based on an observed linear relationship between the arcjet disturbance and the ambient magnetic field. We estimate correction parameters using data from GOES-16 (the first spacecraft of the GOES-R series), evaluate the uncertainties in the corrected data during arcjet events, and discuss limitations and considerations for arcjet correction in the GOES-R series magnetometers.

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Section: Arcjet Signature In the Magnetometer Data And Correlation Wimentioning

confidence: 82%

Correcting the Arcjet Thruster Disturbance in GOES‐16 Magnetometer Data

et al. 2020

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“…Similarly the response of a negatively biased solar array in natural and Electric Propulsion (EP) generated plasma environments has been well characterized previously by the authors and others [11,12,16]. When immersed in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) like plasma environment, including that generated by EP thrusters such as Arcjets, Hall Current Thrusters (HCT), or ion thrusters, negatively biased solar cells are susceptible to arcing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…The behavior of a spacecraft in the presence of a natural plasma environment is well described by numerous earlier publications [11,12,16]. Solar array features that result in substantial voltage gradients between nearby surfaces are susceptible to arcing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

See 1 more Smart Citation

On space plasma ground test methodologies and related solar array design considerations

Likar

Bogorad

Noakes

et al. 2009

2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

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Challenges associated with the design, testing, and qualification of space solar arrays for operation in plasma environments have led to the creation of collection of ground test and design guidelines, standards, and requirements. Discussions summarized herein examine unique design aspects affecting array performance in plasma environments and review test / analysis routines appropriate for typical space solar array production methods.

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“…The arcjets apply a current to the neutral hydrazine propellant that partially ionizes the thruster plume, creating a very dense plasma relative to the ambient environment that interacts with the ambient geomagnetic field. Although the arcjet plume is only ∼1% ionized [10], the plasma density of the plume was measured to be ∼10 12 m −3 in ground tests [11], which is several orders of magnitude larger than the typical ambient low-energy electron density at geostationary orbit. The linear responses in Figs.…”

Section: A Proportional Responsementioning

confidence: 92%