LEO Orbit Surface Charging and Its Relationship to Environment, Vehicle Geometry, and Ionospheric Conditions

Ungrounded surface materials on the exterior of low-to-medium altitude and medium-to-high inclination satellites can become charged in the auroral electron environment at high latitudes. The orientation of such surfaces will present different aspects relative to the satellite sun line and the satell...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fennell, Joseph F, Anderson, Phillip C
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRONS
ELECTROSTATICS
ESD(ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE)
IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES
LEO(LOW EARTH ORBIT)
LOW ALTITUDE
PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
SPACECRAFT CHARGING
Unmanned Spacecraft
VELOCITY
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Summary:Ungrounded surface materials on the exterior of low-to-medium altitude and medium-to-high inclination satellites can become charged in the auroral electron environment at high latitudes. The orientation of such surfaces will present different aspects relative to the satellite sun line and the satellite velocity vector. Such surfaces can be both in shadow and in the satellite wake at the same time, which enhances the chances of charging in the dusk to pre-noon sector of the auroral oval, depending on plasma density and lighting conditions at file satellite altitude and inclination. It is recommended that all surfaces be conductors if surface charging and associated electrostatic discharge (ESD) are to be avoided. Otherwise, the satellite system should be designed to tolerate the surface ESD that will occur. Authorized by Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, Engineering and Technology Group. The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.