Abstract The estimation of the extent of electrical charging of space platforms at low earth orbit (LEO) altitudes has been a subject of interest for a number of years. Early estimates based on theoretical current-voltage relationships of Langmuir and Blodgett and Parker and Murphy predicted a wide range of possible electrical potentials for a platform being actively charged at LEO altitudes. The experimental success of early electron beam experiments suggested that the early theories were incomplete. This has led to the development of space experiments specifically designed to study the degree of electrical charging resulting from electron beam emission, and also supplementary experiments to determine the current voltage relationship of large structures biassed to high voltages in the LEO environment. The paper will discuss some of the results of vehicle electrical potential from recent sounding rocket experiments involving charging of a space platform by both electron beam emission, and by the application of differential bias between elements of the platform.
Recent experimental measurements of space platform charging at LEO altitudes
Advances in Space Research ; 12 , 12 ; 49-52
1992-01-01
4 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Electrical Charging of Space Platforms at Low Earth Orbit Altitudes
Online Contents | 1999
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British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999
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