Spacecraft charging and electrostatic cleanliness
Abstract
Static electrification is due to the accretion of electric charges on a body causing its surface to develop an electric potential different from that of its environment. Charging can occur in space on an object immersed in an ionized gas, or plasma. Surface potentials of a fraction of a volt are measured on rockets but spacecraft in geostationary orbit can charge up to several kilovolts. The mechanism leading to surface charging, which is a source of interferences for spacecraft subsystems, are discussed. Techniques which can remedy this situation are reviewed.
- Publication:
-
Spacecraft Electromagnetic Compatibility
- Pub Date:
- June 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978semc.rept..101G
- Keywords:
-
- Cleanliness;
- Electrostatic Charge;
- Spacecraft Charging;
- Design Analysis;
- Electrical Properties;
- Reliability Analysis;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Spacecraft Environments;
- Spacecraft Shielding;
- Systems Engineering;
- Communications and Radar