Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997jgr...10224117s&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 102, Issue A11, p. 24117-24126
Physics
Plasma Physics
4
Ionosphere: Plasma Temperature And Density, Space Plasma Physics: Charged Particle Motion And Acceleration, Space Plasma Physics: Spacecraft/Atmosphere Interactions, Space Plasma Physics: Spacecraft Sheaths, Wakes, Charging
Scientific paper
During the space shuttle/Spacelab 2 mission (STS-51F) the Plasma Diagnostic Package (PDP) was placed in free flight in the vicinity of the Orbiter and provided the first opportunity to measure the midwake and far-wake regions of an orbiting spacecraft. During this period the PDP crossed the wake 4 times at downstream distances ranging from 40 m to 240 m. During each crossing a definite change in the ion-retarding potential curves was measured when the PDP was in the shuttle wake compared to the ambient ionosphere. These measurements were obtained by both the differential ion flux probe and the retarding potential analyzer instruments on the PDP. The temperature of the ions, derived from fitting the data to a Maxwellian distribution, are consistent with an enhancement during each wake crossing of as much as a factor of 2.5 (from about 0.08 eV to 0.2 eV). Such studies of plasma wakes were never before performed.
Sorensen J. E.
Stone Nobie H.
Wright K. H.
No associations
LandOfFree
Change in ion distribution function while crossing the space shuttle wake does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Change in ion distribution function while crossing the space shuttle wake, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Change in ion distribution function while crossing the space shuttle wake will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1155270