Tests have been conducted concerning the active control of the potentials of the geosynchronous satellites ATS-5 and ATS-6. The ATS-5 tests show that a simple electron emitter can be used to reduce the magnitude of the potential of a spacecraft which has been charged negatively by the environment. The ATS-6 ion thruster had also a pronounced effect on the potential barrier. In this case, the flux of high-energy primary ions and of low-charge exchange ions produces a space-charge neutralization effect which the electron gun alone cannot achieve.
Active control of spacecraft potentials at geosynchronous orbit
Symposium on Spacecraft charging by magnetospheric plasmas ; 1975 ; Washington, DC, US
1976-01-01
Miscellaneous
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English