A fully kinetic particle-in-cell model combined with a nonhomogeneous interface immersed finite element field solver is presented for simulations of the plasma charging at the lunar terminator. This model explicitly includes the lunar regolith layer and the bedrock in the simulation domain, taking into account of regolith layer thickness and permittivity, and is capable of resolving a nontrivial surface terrain or spacecraft configuration. Simulations are presented to study surface charging and lunar outpost charging at the lunar terminator region. The results suggest that substantial differential charging can develop, even under a very moderate plasma charging environment.
Immersed Finite Element Particle-in-Cell Simulations of Plasma Charging at the Lunar Terminator
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 55 , 6 ; 1490-1497
2018-11-01
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Numerical Simulations of Surface Charging at the Lunar Terminator (AIAA 2015-1394)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015
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