Various factors determining the floating potential of a highly biased (about 4-kV) spacecraft in low earth orbit are discussed. While the common rule of thumb (90 percent negative; 10 percent positive) is usually a good guide, different biasing and grounding patterns can lead to high positive potentials. The NASCAP/LEO code can be used to predict spacecraft floating potential for complex three-dimensional spacecraft.
Plasma sheath structure surrounding a large powered spacecraft
1984-01-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
NTIS | 2012
|NTRS | 2012
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