Dielectric charging as a catalyst to the formation of potential barriers on synchronous orbit satellites
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Authors
Young, Maude Elizabeth
Subjects
Dielectric
Spacecraft Charging
ISEE1
Potential Barriers
Spacecraft Charging
ISEE1
Potential Barriers
Advisors
Olsen, Richard C.
Date of Issue
1990-03
Date
March 1990
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
This thesis postulates deep dielectric charging of exterior spacecraft dielectrics as a mechanism responsible for the sunlit charging even observed on the ISEE1 spacecraft. Deep dielectric charging can cause a negative potential to develop on the insulating surfaces of the spacecraft, resulting in the information of a potential barrier capable of suppressing photo and secondary emission. These events can lead to overall negative charging of the spacecraft. Calculations were made using in situ measurements from onboard the ISEE1 and the SCATHA spacecraft. The results indicate, within the range of the data used, that this mechanism is a viable explanation for the ISEE1 charging event. This mechanism can be generalized to most synchronous orbit spacecraft.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Physics
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
vii, 79 p. bill.
Citation
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.