Observation that ATS 5 can charge to potentials as high as 10,000 volts during eclipse, and as high as 200 volts in sunlight. This charging has been used to infer the presence of the plasmasphere at synchronous altitude in the midnight region, and its prompt disappearance when hot plasma is injected in association with substorms. Although injected plasma has a density of 1.0 per cu cm the remaining cold plasma (less than 50 eV) has a density of 0.01 per cu cm. A mathematical model of ATS 5 has been constructed that can be used to predict spacecraft potentials. In addition, parts of ATS 5 can charge to several hundred volts without affecting the overall spacecraft potential appreciably.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Spacecraft charging at synchronous orbit.


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1972-02-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Spacecraft Charging in Geostationary Transfer Orbit

    Parker, Linda Neergaard / Minow, Joseph | NTRS | 2014


    Spacecraft Charging in Geostationary Transfer Orbit

    L. N. Parker / J. Minow | NTIS | 2014


    Advanced Photovoltaic Synchronous-Orbit Spacecraft Power Systems

    Paul Goldsmith / George M. Reppucci | AIAA | 1978


    Surface Charging of Spacecraft in Geosynchronous Orbit

    Wrenn, G. L. / Sims, A. J. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993


    Application of ion engines to synchronous orbit spacecraft

    MEESE, R. / ELLION, M. / BURSTEIN, A. | AIAA | 1975