The NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) is used to evaluate qualitatively the possibility of such enhanced spacecraft contamination on a conceptual version of a large satellite. The evaluation is made by computing surface voltages on the satellite due to encounters with substorm environments and then computing charged particle trajectories in the electric fields around the satellite. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of contaminants reaching a mirror surface inside a dielectric tube because this mirror represents a shielded optical surface in the satellite model used. Deposition of low energy charged particles from other parts of the spacecraft onto the mirror was found to be possible in the assumed moderate substorm environment condition. In the assumed severe substorm environment condition, however, voltage build up on the inside and edges of the dielectric tube in which the mirror is located prevents contaminants from reaching the mirror surface.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    NASCAP Modelling Computations on Large Optics Spacecraft in Geosynchronous Substorm Environments


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1980


    Size :

    20 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







    NASCAP-2K SIMULATIONS OF SPACECRAFT CHARGING IN TENUOUS PLASMA ENVIRONMENTS

    Mandell, M. J. / Cooke, D. L. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004


    Spacecraft-plasma interaction codes: NASCAP/GEO, NASCAP/LEO, POLAR, DynaPAC, and EPSAT

    Mandell, M. J. / Jongeward, G. A. / Cooke, D. L. | NTRS | 1992