Extrapolation of electrical breakdown currents from the laboratory to Space StationRecent experiments conducted in a plasma chamber at NASA/MSFC on anodized aluminum coatings representative of Space Station Freedom design show that if the aluminum used as a thermal control coating is biased more than 80 V negative with respect to the plasma, the anodization will experience dielectric breakdown. As the thin anodization layer creates a capacitive charge buildup, large currents are observed during the arc. How plasma generation at the arc site can support large currents and discharge the surface charge layer is investigated. The importance for Space Station Freedom is that currents similar to those observed in the laboratory can be observed on orbit.
Document ID
19920046970
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vaughn, Jason A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Carruth, Melvin R., Jr. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Katz, Ira (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mandell, Myron J. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Jongeward, Gary A. (Maxwell Laboratories, Inc. S-Cubed Div., La Jolla, CA, United States)