Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether

Details Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether

Jan 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aipc..608..526c&link_type=abstract

SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM- STAIF 2002. Conference on Thermophyiscs in Microgravity; Conference on In

Statistics

Applications

Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components

Scientific paper

Tether electron current collection in the Orbital Motion Limited regime is the key mechanism allowing for power and/or thrust generation applications of space electrodynamic tethers. This paper presents a new approach, based on a kinetic model, for the accurate analysis of the electron collection problem to a bare tether moving in a collisionless plasma. The drift velocity associated with the translational speed of the tether is incompatible with 1-D, cylindrically symmetric models (Laframboise, 1966; Sanmartı´n and Estes, 1999) and its effects on current collection are not well understood. A kinetic model is developed for the two-dimensional plasma surrounding the tether. It consists in solving, self-consistently, the Vlasov and Poisson equations through a semi-analytical, semi-numerical process. A Maxwellian velocity distribution is assumed for the plasma species (electrons and ions) at the outer boundary of the solution space; no assumption is made regarding the velocity distributions in the vicinity of the tether. Initial results are validated with Langmuir cylindrical probe theory in the ion and electron saturation regimes as well as the electron retardation regime. Work is underway to allow the use of the model for cases with a drifting plasma. .

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether 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 Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Kinetic modeling of the electron current collection to a moving bare electrodynamic tether will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1086338