ATS-5 and ATS-6 potentials during eclipse
Abstract
ATS-5 and ATS-6 data for spacecraft charging during eclipse conditions are analyzed. ATS-5 and ATS-6 charged to voltages greater than 100 volts for about 55% of the eclipse periods examined. The mean spacecraft potential during eclipse was 2 keV for ATS-5, and the highest potential measured was 10 kilovolts. For ATS-6, the mean potential during eclipse was 4 keV, the highest potential measured being 20 keV. The average measured spacecraft potentials for both ATS-5 and 6 depend, approximately linearly, upon K sub p. This relationship is due mainly to the dependence of electron current density on K sub p near midnight. Spacecraft potentials at geosynchronous orbit may, to a rough approximation, thus be inferred from ground-based measurements of K sub p, the planetary 3 hour index.
- Publication:
-
Air Force Interim Report
- Pub Date:
- September 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979aifo.reptR....R
- Keywords:
-
- Ats 5;
- Ats 6;
- Eclipses;
- Spacecraft Charging;
- Electric Potential;
- Electron Energy;
- Magnetometers;
- Space Charge;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles