Spacecraft charging at synchronous orbit

Abstract

ATS 5 can charge to potentials as high as 10,000 volts during eclipse, and as high as 200 volts in sunlight. This charging has been used to infer the presence of the plasmasphere at synchronous altitude in the midnight region, and its prompt disappearance when hot plasma is injected in association with substorms. Although injected plasma has a density of 1.0/cm³, the remaining cold plasma (<50 ev) has a density of 0.01/cm³. A mathematical model of ATS 5 has been constructed that can be used to predict spacecraft potentials. In addition, parts of ATS 5 can charge to several hundred volts without affecting the over‐all spacecraft potential appreciably.

Spacecraft‐generated ions

“…Significant charging is most commonly found at geosynchronous orbit. The first reports of high level spacecraft charging were those for Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) 5 [Deforest, 1972]. Similar events were subsequently noted on ATS 6 and P78-2 (SCATHA) [Olsen and Purvis, 1983;Mullen et al 1986].…”

Insulator Edge Voltage Gradient Effects in Spacecraft Charging Phenomena

“…First, it is lctuhwn that a grounded metal frame covering the edges of :m irradiated 22 insulator surface prevents discharges. 1 The voltage gradients from the insulator surface to the !rune are as severe is those found in this study. The only difference is a lack of an exposed edge or seam.…”

Beam-plasma interaction experiment in the magnetosphere by emitting an electron beam from satellite JIKIKEN (EXOS-B).

“…Purposes of the Controlled Beam Experiment (CBE) are to control the satellite potential by an electron beam emission, and to study the wave excitation (linear and non-linear wave phenomena due to the beam-plasma interaction). It has been reported from the satellites at the synchronous orbit such as ATS-5, and 6 that there exist high energy charged particle fluxes; and these fluxes hit on the satellite's surfaces, charging them up to a high voltage as large as multi-kilovolts (SHARP et al, 1970;DEFOREST and MCILWAIN, 1971;DEFOREST, 1972;ROSEN, 1976). The mechanism of spacecraft charging phenomena and associated injurious effects, however, is not known in details.…”