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A theory of neutral gas emissions from a plasma contactor and its effect on electrodynamic tether performanceAn existing anisotropic anodic plasma contactor model is extended to include neutral gas emissions. Within the framework of the contactor model, the inclusion of external ionization leads to an integrodifferential equation. By choosing the ratio of the contactor radius to the neutral gas-electron ionization mean free path at the contactor exit as a suitable expansion parameter, an analytical expression for the current-voltage characteristic can be found. The performance of this contactor model is examined via a dynamic simulation model developed for electrodynamic tethers. Detailed models of the geomagnetic field and the ionosphere are used to create a realistic environment. The highly nonlinear contactor voltagle-current characteristic is incorporated into a circuit equation, which includes radiation impedance, and is solved along the tether's orbit. Results show that it is more effective to fully ionize the contactor gas internally, than to partially ionize it externally, and that based on the specific power for the tether system, the optimum gas to use is argon. In addition, the effect of the radiation impedance on tether system performance is examined.
Document ID
19910057903
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Roy, R. I. S.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Hastings, D. E.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1991
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 91-1477
Accession Number
91A42526
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG3-681
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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