The cluster spacecraft are instrumented with ion emitters for charge neutralization. The emitters produce indium ions at 6 keV. The ion current is adjusted in a feedback loop with instruments measuring the spacecraft potential. The system is based on the evaporation of indium in the apex field of a needle. The design of the active spacecraft potential control instruments, and the ion emitters is presented.


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    Title :

    Active spacecraft potential control: An ion emitter experiment


    Contributors:
    Riedler, W. (author) / Goldstein, R. (author) / Hamelin, M. (author) / Maehlum, B. N. (author) / Troim, J. (author) / Olsen, R. C. (author) / Pedersen, A. (author) / Grard, R. J. L. (author) / Schmidt, R. (author) / Rudenauer, F. (author)


    Publication date :

    1988-10-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Active Spacecraft Potential Control: an ion emitter experiment for Cluster

    Riedler, W. et al. | British Library Online Contents | 1993





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