Spacecraft charging during ion beam emissions in sunlightDuring ion beam emissions from the SCATHA satellite, the potential of the negatively charged satellite body shows a sinusoidal oscillation frequency of once-per-spin of the satellite. The minimum occurs when the ion beam is sunward. The processes that may be responsible for the voltage modulation are considered. Neutralization of ion beam space charge by photoelectrons is examined. The photoelectrons are accelerated by the negative potential of the satellite. Effects of electron impact ionization, excitation of metastable states, and photoionization of xenon neutral atoms in the ion beam are studied in detail. Critical ionization velocity interaction is unlikely under the condition considered.
Document ID
19900032905
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lai, S. T. (USAF, Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB MA, United States)
Mcneil, W. J. (Radex, Inc. Bedford, MA, United States)
Aggson, T. L. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)