Charging of dielectrics deep within spacecraft structures by the high-energy portion of the electron environment is investigated. Order-of-magnitude estimates of charging rates and saturation fields are made for spacecraft dielectrics and compared with breakdown thresholds. Results indicate that radiation-induced and natural conductivities of several spacecraft dielectrics are sufficiently low to permit charge accumulation to the point of dielectric breakdown. It is concluded that the high-energy portion of the natural environment can produce discharges and reasonably large replacement currents within the spacecraft structure and cables.


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    Title :

    Spacecraft charging effects by the high-energy natural environment


    Additional title:

    Elektrische Entladungseffekte durch kosmische Strahlung hoher Energie in Raumfahrzeugen


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1977


    Size :

    4 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 7 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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