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Observations of Reflected Ions and Plasma Turbulence for Satellite Potentials Greater than the Ion Ram EnergyDuring the TSS-1R mission, the behavior of the ions flowing from the forward hemisphere of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) satellite was examined as the potential of the satellite was changed from below to above 5 V. The ram energy of the ambient atomic oxygen ions is approximately 5 eV. For satellite potentials less than 5 V, no ions were observed on the ram side of the satellite. When the satellite potential was raised greater than 5 V, ions were observed to be flowing from the forward region of the satellite. In the region sampled, the ion flux was a few percent of the ambient with energies of approximately 5 eV. The temperature of the out-flowing ions was observed to be enhanced, relative to the ambient ionosphere. The net current to the probe package became much more noisy for satellite potentials greater than 5 V as compared with satellite potentials less than 5 V, indicating a more disturbed plasma environment.
Document ID
19990014464
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wright, K. H., Jr.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL United States)
Stone, N. H.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Sorensen, J.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL United States)
Winningham, J. D.
(Southwest Research Inst. San Antonio, TX United States)
Gurgiolo, C.
(Bitteroot Basic Research, Inc. Hamilton, MT United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 15, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 25
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0094-8534
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
Paper 97GL02999
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-37107
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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