Active spacecraft potential control: An ion emitter experiment. [Cluster mission]
Authors
Riedler, W.
Goldstein, R.
Hamelin, M.
Maehlum, B.N.
Troim, J.
Olsen, R.C.
Pedersen, A.
Grard, R.J.L.
Schmidt, R.
Rudenauer, F.
Advisors
Second Readers
Subjects
FEEDBACK CONTROL
ION BEAMS
SPACE MISSIONS
SPACECRAFT CHARGING
SPACECRAFT DESIGN
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EUROPEAN SPACE PROGRAMS
INDIUM
ION SOURCES
MAGNETIC MEASUREMENT
PLASMASPHERE
ION BEAMS
SPACE MISSIONS
SPACECRAFT CHARGING
SPACECRAFT DESIGN
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EUROPEAN SPACE PROGRAMS
INDIUM
ION SOURCES
MAGNETIC MEASUREMENT
PLASMASPHERE
Date of Issue
1988-10
Date
Oct 01, 1988
Publisher
Language
Abstract
The cluster spacecraft are instrumented with ion emitters for charge neutralization. The emitters produce indium ions at 6 keV. The ion current is adjusted in a feedback loop with instruments measuring the spacecraft potential. The system is based on the evaporation of indium in the apex field of a needle. The design of the active spacecraft potential control instruments, and the ion emitters is presented.
Type
Conference Paper
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
ESA, The Cluster Mission: Scientific and Technical Aspects of the Instruments; p. p 95-102
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.