Measurements of plasma parameters in the vicinity of the space shuttle

Murphy, G. B.; Pickett, J. S.; D’Angelo, N.; Kurth, W. S.

doi:10.1016/0032-0633(86)90009-7

Cited by 48 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The electron temperature is seen to rise in the wake by a factor >•3 relative to the ram temperature of-2000øK. Both results are in line with those reported for a previous shuttle flight by Murphy et al [ 1986]. On that occasion the PDP was located in the shuttle bay, while the shuttle revolved around its X axis.…”

Section: We Have Presented Electron and Ion Data Obtained By Two Instsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…A description of the PDP and its instrumentation can be found in the work of Shawhah et al [1984]. The present paper will focus on electron density and temperature data collected by the Langmuir probe (LP) instrument similar to the one described by Murphy et al [1986] and on ion density measurements taken by the retarding potential analyzer Two sets of experiments were performed during the mission, which enabled the PDP to investigate the orbiter wake at downstream distances ranging from -10 m to -240 m. The first set of observations was designed to study the near wake, while the second was devoted to an investigation of the mid and far wake: 1. For a study of the near wake, the PDP was positioned by the remote manipulator system (RMS) at approximately 10 m directly above the orbiter cargo bay (Figure 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For many years, wakes of bodies of different sizes and shapes in supersonic plasma flows have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. The experimental work has been performed both in the laboratory [e.g., Stone, 1979Stone, , 1981aBogashchenko et al, 1971;Schmitt, 1973;Merlino and D'Angelo, 1987] and on various ionospheric spacecraft [e.g., Samir and Wrenn, 1972;Stone et al, 1986;Shawhah et al, 1984;Murphy et al, 1986;Raitt et al, 1987;Reasoner et al, 1986]. For a review of the theoretical work (and an extensive bibliography), see, for example, Stone [1979].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter

Murphy¹,

Reasoner²,

Tribble³

et al. 1989

J. Geophys. Res.

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One of the objectives of the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) instrumentation on Spacelab 2 was to obtain information about the plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter. We present plasma density and electron temperature data obtained (1) while the PDP was attached to the shuttle remote manipulator system and (2) while the PDP was a free‐flying satellite. Wake crossings by the PDP from ∼40 m to ∼240 m behind the orbiter provide information about the structure of the mid and far wake of the orbiter. As expected, the wake is characterized by density depressions, relative to the ambient ionospheric plasma, and by enhancements of the electron temperature, particularly in the near and mid wake. The observed electron temperature enhancements appear to be in line with previous spacecraft observations.

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Section: We Have Presented Electron and Ion Data Obtained By Two Instsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter

Murphy¹,

Reasoner²,

Tribble³

et al. 1989

J. Geophys. Res.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Plasma wakes have been observed around planets, natural and artificial satellites, [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] and they have been investigated in the vicinity of the U.S. Space Shuttle. 35 The present experiment examines the filling of the near wake in the presence of large-amplitude, low-frequency ( f р50 kHz) turbulence generated near an obstacle as plasma flows around it. Two different plasmas are flowed past the obstacle, representing opposite extremes in the initial turbulence level of the ambient plasma; in other respects, the systems are similar.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ion acceleration and anomalous transport in the near wake of a plasma limiter

1997

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Ion acceleration and anomalous transport were studied experimentally in the near wake region of an electrically floating disk limiter immersed in two different types of collisionless, supersonically flowing, magnetized plasmas: the first initially quiescent, the second initially turbulent. Ion densities and velocity distributions were obtained using a nonperturbing laser induced fluorescence diagnostic. Large-amplitude, low-frequency turbulence was observed at the obstacle edge and in the wake. Rapid ion and electron configuration space transport and ion velocity space transport were observed. Configuration space and velocity space transport were similar for both quiescent and turbulent plasma-obstacle systems, suggesting that plasma-obstacle effects outweigh the effects of initial plasma turbulence levels.

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“…The contaminant plasma cloud about the space shuttle has been studied experimentally by several authors [Pickett et al, 1985;Murphy et al, 1986;Reasoner et al, 1986]. Caledonia et al [1987] showed that their measurements were We work in a frame of reference where the space structure is stationary, the magnetic field B is in the = direction and the ambient wind in the negative x direction with a speed of 8 km/s (Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The motion of contaminant water plasma clouds about large active space structures

Hastings¹,

Gatsonis²

1989

J. Geophys. Res.

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Large structures in low earth orbit will release neutral water or ions through outgassing, water dumps or thruster firings and thus perturb the ambient ionosphere. Neutrals and ions within the perturbed environment will undergo chemical reactions to form a contaminant cloud. It is assumed that the contaminant cloud consists of ions such as O+, H2O+, H3O+ and neutrals such as O, H, OH and H2O. A two‐dimensional model for the motion of the contaminant cloud perpendicular to the magnetic field lines is developed. Numerical solution of the derived model equations examines the effects of Alfvén wave coupling, neutral water density, ion temperature and initial conditions on the cloud motion. In low density neutral water clouds (≤109 cm−3) the shielding of the electric field is small. In neutral water clouds with densities of interest for shuttle conditions (∼1010 cm−3) the shielding is predicted to be of the order of the motional electric field and the ratios of the line averaged densities of the ions is consistent with experimental data. The effect of ion temperature is negligible for the range of densities and temperatures considered. It is predicted that for symmetric initial conditions, the drifting clouds will develop fingerlike instabilities. Plasma depletions are predicted in the wake of the moving structure with enhancements in the ram direction. Asymmetric initial conditions, such that could result from a thruster firing, rotate the plasma cloud which undergoes a highly asymmetric distortion.

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Measurements of plasma parameters in the vicinity of the space shuttle

Cited by 48 publications

References 12 publications

The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter

The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter

Ion acceleration and anomalous transport in the near wake of a plasma limiter

The motion of contaminant water plasma clouds about large active space structures

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