HR: 1330h
AN: SH42A-0499 [PDF]
TI: ISS Plasma Contactor Units Operations During Strong Geomagnetic Activity
AU: * Alred, J
EM: john.w.alred@boeing.com
AF: The Boeing Company, Mail Code HB3-20, 13100 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77509 United States
AU: Mikatarian, R
EM: ronald.r.mikatarian@boeing.com
AF: The Boeing Company, Mail Code HB3-20, 13100 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77509 United States
AU: Barsamian, H
EM: hagop.r.barsamian@boeing.com
AF: The Boeing Company, Mail Code HB3-20, 13100 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77509 United States
AU: Minow, J
EM: joseph.minow@msfc.nasa.gov
AF: Jacobs Sverdrup, MSFC Group, MSFC/ED44, Huntsville, AL 35812 United States
AU: Koontz, S
EM: steven.l.koontz@nasa.gov
AF: NASA, Johnson Space Center, JSC/ES4, Houston, TX 77058 United States
AB:
The large structure and high voltage arrays of the ISS represent a complex system that interacts with the Earth's ionosphere.
To mitigate spacecraft charging problems on the ISS, two Plasma Contactor Units discharge ionized xenon gas to "clamp" the
potential of the ISS with respect to the low Earth orbit plasma. The Plasma Interaction Model, a model of ISS plasma
interaction developed from the basic physics of the interaction phenomena, includes magnetic induction effects, plasma
temperature and density effects, interaction of the high voltage solar arrays with ionospheric plasma, and accounts for other
conductive areas on the ISS. To augment this model, the PCU discharge current has been monitored for the ISS in a variety of
flight attitudes as well as during the annual seasons. A review of the PCU discharge currents shows a correlation to the
geomagnetic activity. The variation in the PCU discharge current during strong geomagnetic activity will be presented.
Also, the PCU discharge currents during periods of low geomagnetic activity will be discussed. The presentation will
conclude with a comparison of satellite plasma measurements during different stages of geomagnetic activity.
DE: 7853 Spacecraft/atmosphere interactions
DE: 7855 Spacecraft sheaths, wakes, charging
SC: SPA - Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting