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Electrodynamics payloads for small rocketsTotally integrated design facilitates electrical cleanliness and light weight, which are necessary in subsonic parachute-borne payloads for electrodynamics investigations. 'Blunt' probes measure ion conductivity, as do Gerdien condensers. Recent finite-element computer analyses combining flow and electrodynamics have resolved problems in determining ion densities and mobilities from Gerdien data. Three-axis electric fields are measured with deployable boom-mounted electrodes from dc through VLF. Splitting the cylindrical payload with an insulator and measuring the current between halves has provided a vertical Maxwell current detector mechanically rigid enough to measure, at ELF, energy related to coupling. A nose tip 'Smith' probe turbulence measurement is usually performed on ascent. Other instrumentation, such as photo-ionization sources and X-ray detectors, can also be included. These electrodynamic measurement payloads are about one meter in length and have a mass of about 9 kg. They can be launched with an Orion-class or smaller vehicle.
Document ID
19920061697
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Croskey, C. L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hale, L. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mitchell, J. D.
(Pennsylvania State University University Park, United States)
Mccarthy, S. P.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Goodnow, K. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Li, C.
(Pennsylvania State University University Park, United States)
Goldberg, R. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 12
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Accession Number
92A44321
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG6-7
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-6004
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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