The International Space Station continues to be a productive space research laboratory after over 15 years of operations, and it has proven to be a valuable resource for observing spacecraft floating potential variations related to high-voltage solar array operations in low Earth orbit. Measurements of the ionospheric electron density and temperature along the International Space Station orbit and variations in the International Space Station floating potential are obtained from the floating potential measurement unit. In particular, rapid variations in the International Space Station floating potential during solar array operations on timescales of tens of milliseconds can be recorded due to the 128 Hz sample rate of the floating potential probe, providing insight into high-voltage solar array interaction with the space plasma environment. Comparing the floating potential measurement unit data with the International Space Station operations’ timeline and solar array data provides a means for correlating some of the more complex transient floating potential variations with mission operations. These complex variations are not reproduced by current models and require further study to understand the underlying physical processes. In this paper is presented some of the floating potential transients observed over the past few years along with the relevant space environment parameters and solar array operations data.


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    Title :

    Transient Floating Potential Variations Attributed to High-Voltage Solar Array Operations




    Publication date :

    2017




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    55.60 Raumfahrttechnik
    Local classification TIB:    770/7040



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