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New Methods to Determine the Electromagnetic Effects from Precipitation StaticThe Electrostatics and Surface Physic Laboratory has devised a new method to determine the electromagnetic effects from precipitation static or p-static as its commonly called. P-static occurs as a result of triboelectric charging of granular materials or ice crystals bombarded onto the surfaces of air and/or space vehicles at high speeds. The electrostatic charge that builds up on the outer surface can have deleterious effects that arise during discharge events. These discharges can cause loss of communication to and from the vehicle from ground stations, EMI interference, radio frequency noise, etc… There are even cases of total loss of vehicles caused by p-static charging. We have developed a method to simulate the extensive tribocharging of insulating materials that occurs during p-static through the use of corona charging which allows testing to occur within a lab environment. These tests simulate the discharges that occur on rocket vehicles during ascent as a result of gas breakdown by performing the corona charging tests inside a vacuum chamber and subsequently removing the air. The simultaneous gas discharges emit electromagnetic interference (EMI) which can be captured and monitored.
Document ID
20230007666
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Charles R Buhler
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Jerry J Wang
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Joseph R Toth
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Krystal Acosta
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Aaron David Sumaili Olson
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
James Phillips
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Judson Sidney Clements
(Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina, United States)
Date Acquired
May 16, 2023
Subject Category
Physics (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2023 Annual Meeting of the Electrostatics Society of America
Location: Memphis, TN
Country: US
Start Date: June 25, 2023
End Date: June 29, 2023
Sponsors: Electrostatics Society of America
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 981698.01.04.76.01.01.01
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC20K1307
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.

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