Abstract In December, 1987, the SPEAR-1 sounding rocket payload was flown to measure the current collected by exposed spherical conductors biassed by electrical potentials of up to 44kV applied between the rocket body and the spheres. In addition to measuring the current voltage characteristics of the system, a number of diagnostic instruments were included on the payload to measure ambient payload pressure, ambient plasma density, optical signatures, energetic particle fluxes and wave generation in the VLF and HF bands. The paper will describe the payload and present results of the current collection up to 44kV and the response of the diagnostic instruments during the discharges. It was found that although no catastrophic breakdown occurred, the measured currents were significantly higher than those predicted by published theories.
Current collection by electrodes at high voltages exposed to the ionospheric F-region
Advances in Space Research ; 10 , 7 ; 143-146
01.01.1989
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch