Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites

Details Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites

Nov 1983

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1983jgr....88.9155p&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 88, Nov. 1, 1983, p. 9155-9162.

Physics

4

Artificial Satellites, Earth Ionosphere, Electric Potential, Spacecraft Charging, Current Density, Dielectrics, Explorer 51 Satellite, Ion Currents, Spin

Scientific paper

For spinning satellites with dielectric coatings it is shown that the currents of rotating charge embedded in the dielectric surface can play a role in limiting the spacecraft ground potential of an ionospheric satellite relative to the surrounding plasma. Such currents, as well as small concentrations of H(+), can account for previous discrepancies of more than a factor of 2 between measured and calculated potentials of satellites in the region of the ionosphere where O(+) is dominant. More generally, dielectric conduction can also limit the satellite potential. The importance of such small currents as result from spin and conduction stems from the extremely small ion currents impinging on the wakeside of the satellite. Finally, theoretical estimates based on a newly described constant of the motion of a particle indicate that accounting for small concentrations of H(+) remove the major discrepancy between calculated and measured currents on the wakeside of the AE-C satellite.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites 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 Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mechanisms that limit potentials on ionospheric satellites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1486593