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Measured electron contribution to Shuttle plasma environment: Abbreviated updateThe differential energy spectra of electrons between 1 and 100 eV were measured by an electron spectrometer flown on an early shuttle. This energy range was scanned in 64 incremental steps with a resolution of 7%. The most striking feature that was observed throughout these spectra was a relatively flat distribution of the higher energy electrons out to 100 eV. This is in contrast to normal ambient spectra which consistently show a rapid decline in quantitative flux beyond 50 to 55 eV. The lower energy (1 to 2 eV) end of these spectra showed steep thermal trails comparable to normal ambient spectral structure. In general, daytime fluxes were significantly higher than those obtained during nighttime measurements. Quantitative flux excursions which may possibly be associated with thruster firing were frequently observed. Spectral structure suggestive of the N2 vibrational excitation energy loss mechanism was also seen in the data from some measurement periods. Examples of these spectra are shown and possible correlations are discussed.
Document ID
19850014165
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mcmahon, W.
(Air Force Geophysics Lab. Hanscom AFB, MA, United States)
Salter, R.
(Air Force Geophysics Lab. Hanscom AFB, MA, United States)
Hills, R.
(Tri-Con Associates, Inc., Cambridge Mass., United States)
Delorey, D.
(Boston Coll. Chestnut Hill, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center Spacecraft Environ. Interactions Technol., 1983
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
85N22476
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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