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ISS FPP Ionospheric Electron Density and Temperature Measurements: Results, Comparison with the IRI-90 Model, and Implications for ISS ChargingWe give measurement results of electron temperature and electron density from the Floating Potential Probe (FPP) on the International Space Station (ISS), and relate them to the electron current collection of the ISS solar arrays and the degree of charging of ISS when its Plasma Contacting Units (PCUs) are not operating. We show that on days of high solar activity index Kp, high levels of ISS charging are significantly more probable than on days of low solar activity, due to some abnormally low morning electron temperatures. Although the FPP electron temperatures measured are almost always higher than predicted by the International Reference Ionosphere 90 model (IRI-90), it is shown that the CHAMP satellite Langmuir Probe (PLP) also shows low dawn electron temperatures on the same day as those found by FPP. It is further shown that similar high levels of predicted charging, accompanied by vxB charging on the ISS structure, could exceed the -40 V specification on ISS charging, and could be dangerous to ISS astronauts if the PCUs fail to operate.
Document ID
20030032292
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Ferguson, D. C.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Hillard, G. B.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Morton, T. L.
(Ohio Aerospace Inst. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Personen, R.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2003-1083
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA ASME 41st Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
Location: Reno, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: January 6, 2003
End Date: January 9, 2003
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 22-755-04-04
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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