ISS and space environment interactions without operating plasma contactor

Carruth, M. R.; Ferguson, Dale C.; Suggs, Ron; McCollum, M.

doi:10.2514/6.2001-401

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…A study was undertaken of the electron emission and resistivity properties of a set of materials used to construct the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU). The FPMU is an instrument designed and built at SDL for use on the ISS [21,22] used to monitor spacecraft charging on the ISS [23][24][25][26] through plasma measurements. The sample set includes both basic materials used to construct the FPMU [Au, 316 SS, Aquadag™] and two RTV materials (DC93-500 and CV-1147) thought to be potential key contaminants of the FPMU [7,27].…”

Section: A Sample Selection For Materials Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charge-Enhanced Contamination and Environmental Degradation of MISSE-6 SUSpECS Materials

Dennison

Evans

Fullmer

et al. 2012

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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The effects of prolonged exposure to the LEO space environment and charge-enhanced contamination on optical, thermal, and electron emission and transport properties of common spacecraft materials have been investigated by comparing pre-and post-flight characterization measurements. The State of Utah Space Environment and Contamination Study (SUSpECS) deployed in March 2008 on board the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-6) payload, was exposed for ~18 months on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS), and was retrieved in September 2009. A total of 165 samples were mounted on three separate SUSpECS panels on the ram and wake sides on the ISS. Some samples, particularly those exposed to atomic oxygen in the ram direction, showed pronounced effects due to exposure. Biased samples for the charge-enhanced contamination study showed subtle variations in visible and infrared reflectivity.

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Section: A Sample Selection For Materials Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charge-Enhanced Contamination and Environmental Degradation of MISSE-6 SUSpECS Materials

Dennison

Evans

Fullmer

et al. 2012

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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“…A study of the electron emission and resistivity properties of a set of materials that were used to construct the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) is currently underway. The FPMU is an instrument designed and built at SDL for use on the ISS [20], [21] intended to monitor spacecraft charging on the ISS [22][23][24] through plasma measurements. The sample set includes both basic materials used to construct the FPMU [Au, 316 SS, Aquadag] and two RTV materials (DC93-500 and CV-1147) thought to be potential key contaminants of the FPMU [7], [26].…”

Section: Table I Suspecs Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flight Experiments on the Effects of Contamination on Electron Emission of Materials

Dennison

Hodges

Duce

et al. 2009

1st AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference

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We report on a study of the effects of prolonged exposure to the space environment and of chargeenhanced contamination on the electron emission and resistivity of spacecraft materials. The State of Utah Space Environment & Contamination Study (SUSpECS) was deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) in March 2008 onboard the MISSE-6 payload during STS-123. The Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-6) program is designed to characterize the performance of candidate new space materials over the course of its ~17 month exposure to the LEO environment, with a target return date of August 2009 on STS-127. Approximately 165 samples are mounted on three separate SUSpECS panels in the ram and wake sides on the ISS. They have been carefully chosen to provide needed information for different ongoing studies and a broad cross-section of prototypical materials used on the exteriors of spacecrafts. Design of the sample panels are detailed, including a three tiered configuration intended to provide variable atomic oxygen and ultraviolet radiation exposure. The methods used to simulate charge enhanced contamination by actively biasing samples to low positive and negative voltages are also described. A primary emphasis of SUSpECS is the study of modifications to the electron emission resulting from exposure to the space plasma environment and to environmental contamination. There is presently little available data related to the effects of sample deterioration and contamination on emission properties for materials actually flown in space. Electron emission and transport properties of materials are key in determining the amount of charge build-up and the time for the charge to dissipate, as well as the likelihood of deleterious spacecraft charging effects. Such materials properties are essential parameters in modeling spacecraft charging with engineering tools like NASCAP-2K code. SUSpECS studies will test the validity of our predictions from ground-based studies that very thin layers of contamination can lead to severe charging effects under certain circumstance. Electron-, ion-, and photon-induced electron emission yield curves, crossover energies and emission spectra, as well as resistivity and dielectric strength, have been tested for most SUSpECS samples in their pristine conditions before flight. These measurements will be compared with post-flight measurements. Additional pre-and post-flight characterization measurements include optical and electron microscopy, reflection spectroscopy, emissivity and Auger electron spectroscopy.

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“…Elevated spacecraft potentials pose a range of problems for missions. Despite the relatively low potentials that develop in the low earth orbit, prior work has identified significant risks to astronauts on spacewalks, which prompts the use of plasma contactors throughout any extravehicular activity (Anderson, 2012;Carruth et al, 2001). GPS satellites have been shown to experience frequent charging events, resulting in arcing between solar panel components.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

2020

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Remote surface potential determination for nearby objects in space is an enabling technology for a range of space mission concepts, from improved rendezvous capabilities to touchless debris remediation with the electrostatic tractor concept. One concept is to use a nearby servicing spacecraft which fires electrons at the target. These electrons generate bremsstrahlung X-rays, and the resultant X-ray spectrum can be used to determine the landing energy of the electrons. By knowing the initial energy of the electrons, such as those emitted from an electron gun, the relative potential of the target can be inferred. The use of electron-induced X-rays to determine the electrostatic potential of a surface has previously been investigated theoretically, but this work demonstrates it experimentally. Accuracy is found to correlate to the angle between the detector and the target, and investigation of this relationship is a topic of future work. The mean error in landing energy is found to be approximately 1%, and the mean error in estimated plate voltage is found to be within the uncertainty of the high voltage power supply. Material determination is successfully demonstrated, using characteristic X-rays to identify elements that make up less than 0.5% by mass of the target sample. Several possible means of improving landing energy accuracy are discussed.

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ISS and space environment interactions without operating plasma contactor

Cited by 21 publications

References 5 publications

Charge-Enhanced Contamination and Environmental Degradation of MISSE-6 SUSpECS Materials

Charge-Enhanced Contamination and Environmental Degradation of MISSE-6 SUSpECS Materials

Flight Experiments on the Effects of Contamination on Electron Emission of Materials

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

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