Most spacecraft arcing studies have been of the typical inverted gradient arcing because geomagnetic substorms tend to charge spacecraft very negative of dielectric surfaces. However, normal gradient arcing, where the spacecraft is positive of its dielectric surfaces, may be more damaging because it usually occurs at higher differential potentials and thus may involve more capacitive energy, and it happens more quickly, so that it has faster rise times. Furthermore, there is evidence that some sustained arcs have started under normal potential gradients, and laboratory testing has shown that arcing can and does occur under normal gradient conditions. Also, normal gradient arcing may occur on the backs of solar arrays. Finally, normal gradient arcing may produce more contaminants and more radio-frequency interference than inverted gradient arcing and thus may contribute to the GPS arcing power degradation problem. Here, a review of old and new evidence for normal gradient arcing on orbit and in the laboratory is presented; differences in electron energy that may contribute to normal gradients are discussed; differences in test methods are pointed out; the arcing standards up to the present time and how they address normal gradient arcing are commented on; and a plan of action against satellite anomalies that may result from normal gradient arcing is laid out.
Atypical Normal Potential Gradient Arcing on Solar Arrays
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 55 , 3 ; 698-711
2018-03-14
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
ARCING ON SOLAR ARRAYS AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES
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