Charge collection during hypervelocity penetrations of thin foils

The following represents trajectory sensor development work for the space-station-based Cosmic Dust Collection Facility (CDCF). This facility-class payload was to expose some 7 sq m of NASA-provided general-user instruments in addition to three instruments provided by formally selected principal investigators. The preferred trajectory sensor for this general-user instrument envisioned the detection of impact-triggered plasma for both velocity measurement and location instruments. Space station developments in late 1992/early 1993 lead to cancellation of this potential flight project, for both technical and fiscal reasons. This precipitated termination of all plasma detection work at JSC on behalf of CDCF's general-user instrument. The following comprises three informal reports that summarize the CDCF efforts regarding plasma sensing for trajectory determinations. The reports were initially written for internal CDCF use and were not widely distributed. Because no formal publications are envisioned at present, the three reports are included in full in this document. They not only demonstrate that substantial progress was accomplished in the development of plasma trajectory sensors during 1990-1992, but the results are hopefully of interest and use to others who may continue these developments. The chronological sequence of these three reports is reversed, with the first containing the latest information.