Physics Of Satellite Surface Charging

This book will explore the fundamentals of spacecraft charging: why it occurs, when it occurs, where it occurs, how to measure it, and its side effects. It will discuss state-of-the-art spacecraft charging technologies, which will be explained in detail and with pedagogical emphasis. Exercises for further learning will be included to facilitate a deeper understanding of the material. It will be of interest to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to researchers working in physics and engineering keen to understand more about spacecraft interactions with space plasmas. Key Features: Translates complex terminology into accessible language Authored by experts in the field Provides worked examples and exercises for further learning

This book will explore the fundamentals of spacecraft charging: why it occurs, when it occurs, where it occurs, how to measure it, and its side effects. It will discuss state-of-the-art spacecraft charging technologies, which will be explained in detail and with pedagogical emphasis. Exercises for further learning will be included to facilitate a deeper understanding of the material. It will be of interest to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to researchers working in physics and engineering keen to understand more about spacecraft interactions with space plasmas. Key Features: Translates complex terminology into accessible language Authored by experts in the field Provides worked examples and exercises for further learning

As commercial and military spacecraft become more important to the world's economy and defense, and as new scientific and exploratory missions are launched into space, the need for a single comprehensive resource on spacecraft charging becomes increasingly critical. Fundamentals of Spacecraft Charging is the first and only textbook to bring together all the necessary concepts and equations for a complete understanding of the subject. Written by one of the field's leading authorities, this essential reference enables readers to fully grasp the newest ideas and underlying physical mechanisms related to the electrostatic charging of spacecraft in the space environment. Assuming that readers may have little or no background in this area, this complete textbook covers all aspects of the field. The coverage is detailed and thorough, and topics range from secondary and backscattered electrons, spacecraft charging in Maxwellian plasmas, effective mitigation techniques, and potential wells and barriers to operational anomalies, meteors, and neutral gas release. Significant equations are derived from first principles, and abundant examples, exercises, figures, illustrations, and tables are furnished to facilitate comprehension. Fundamentals of Spacecraft Charging is the definitive reference on the physics of spacecraft charging and is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate-level students, and professional space researchers.

The definitive guide to the modern body of spacecraft charging knowledge—from first principles for the beginner to intermediate and advanced concepts The only book to blend the theoretical and practical aspects of spacecraft charging, Guide to Mitigating Spacecraft Charging Effects defines the environment that not only creates the aurora, but which also can have significant effects on spacecraft, such as disruption of science measurements and solar arrays from electrostatic discharge (ESD). It describes in detail the physics of the interaction phenomenon as well as how to construct spacecraft to enhance their survivability in the harsh environment of space. Combining the authors' extensive experience in spacecraft charging—and in their provision of design support to NASA, JPL, the commercial satellite market, and numerous other projects—this incredible book offers both a robust physics background and practical advice for neophytes in the field and experienced plasma physicists and spacecraft engineers. In addition to containing numerous equations, graphs, tables, references, and illustrations, Guide to Mitigating Spacecraft Charging Effects covers: Solar cell technology, especially higher voltage arrays, and the new design approaches that are appropriate for them Information about the space plasma environment New analytic computer codes to analyze spacecraft charging Spacecraft anomalies and failures which emphasized designs that are of greater importance than others

This book explains how satellites and spacecraft materials can become charged to tens or even thousands of volts when plasmas in the space environment interact with them. It provides an overview of the what, when, where, how, and why spacecraft charging occurs. Coverage includes: properties of spacecraft charging and the underlying physical mechanisms; causes of energetic plasmas; how to protect spacecraft entering the harsh space environment; adverse effects of electrostatic discharges on spacecraft; spacecraft charging in auroral region; and deep dielectric charging by energetic electrons as causes of satellite anomalies and failures

Examines how solar and terrestrial space phenomena affect sophisticated technological systems Contemporary society relies on sophisticated technologies to manage electricity distribution, communication networks, transportation safety, and myriad other systems. The successful design and operation of both ground-based and space-based systems must consider solar and terrestrial space phenomena and processes. Space Weather Effects and Applications describes the effects of space weather on various present-day technologies and explores how improved instrumentation to measure Earth's space environment can be used to more accurately forecast changes and disruptions. Volume highlights include: Damage and disruption to orbiting satellite equipment by solar particles and cosmic rays Effects of space radiation on aircraft at high altitudes and latitudes Response of radio and radar-based systems to solar bursts Disturbances to the propagation of radio waves caused by space weather How geomagnetic field changes impact ground-based systems such as pipelines Impacts of human exposure to the space radiation environment The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. Find out more about the Space Physics and Aeronomy collection in this Q&A with the Editors in Chief

Rapid variations in spacecraft potential are observed on entry and exit from the earth's shadow. Generalized equations, based on elementary plasma probe theory, are developed which make quantitative estimates of these potentials as a function of satellite position in the earth's penumbra, and are compared with data from the ATS-5 and ATS-6 geosynchronous satellites. The agreement between the observations and the predictions results from the approximate constancy of the ratio of the ambient ion to electron current during injection events. Due to the significant size and shape differences of the ATS-5 and ATS-6 satellites, the results are applicable in many space physics situations such as estimating the effects of electron beams on satellite potential and of spacecraft charging on very large space structures. (Author).

Spacecraft charging threatens to disable spacecraft components and adversely impact any satellite function. Electrostatic charge, and especially discharge, can hinder the proper operation of, or destroy, spacecraft components, thereby rendering the spacecraft ineffective or inoperative. The level of charging is dependent on the particle energy (speed) distribution. Current spacecraft design and material provide limited protection against the dangers of electrostatic discharge, and active measures such as beam emission are also employed.