Analytic Models for Sunlight Charging of a Rapidly Spinning Satellite

Tautz, M. F.

doi:10.21236/ada416912

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…Note that the minus sign in the monopole‐dipole case is arbitrary: it puts the Sun direction at the north spin pole instead of the south. In the monopole‐quadrupole case, the Sun is considered to be at the belly band [ Tautz , 2003].…”

Section: Description Of the Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The monopole‐dipole model, where the satellite is nonrotating, has been treated by Besse and Rubin [1980], Mandell et al [1978], and Higgins [1979]. The monopole‐quadrupole model has been treated by Tautz [2003]. In the monopole‐dipole model we can interpret the Sun as shining on a spin axis pole, and in the monopole‐quadrupole model the Sun is shining at the belly band of the satellite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analytic models for a rapidly spinning spherical satellite charging in sunlight

Tautz¹

2005

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] We present elementary analytic models for a fast-spinning, dielectric-coated, spherical spacecraft charging in sunlight. The models are based on a multipole expansion of Laplacian potentials external to the spacecraft surface. We assume azimuthal symmetry about the spin axis, and the spin period must be short compared with surface differential charging times. There are three parameters in the models: the monopole potential, the relative strength of the dipole/quadrupole components with respect to the monopole, and a mixing angle. The combination of monopole potentials along with the dipole or quadrupole contributions produce potential barriers which form at the satellite surface. These barriers can act to block escaping photoelectrons and lead to current balance, allowing sunlight charging to high negative levels. The sunlit side charges less (negatively) than the shade side and the ratio of Sun to shade potentials is near its threshold value for high-level charging. We have calculated more general cases with various values of Sun angle relative to the spin axis by combining the dipole and quadrupole components. The potential barrier shape and area vary for different cases and the maximum barrier approximately follows the Sun angle. We stress that for physical interpretation of data obtained on board, one should take into account the potential distribution and where the instrument is located.Citation: Tautz, M., and S. T. Lai (2005), Analytic models for a rapidly spinning spherical satellite charging in sunlight,

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Section: Description Of the Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytic models for a rapidly spinning spherical satellite charging in sunlight

Tautz¹

2005

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…The monopole-dipole model, where the satellite is non-rotating, has been treated by Besse and Rubin (1980), Mandell et al (1978), and Higgins (1978). The monopole-quadrupole system has been treated by Tautz (2003). The monopoledipole model forms with the dipole aligned with the sun direction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytic models for a spherical satellite charging in sunlight at any spin rate

Tautz¹,

Lai

2006

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. We present analytic models for the steady state potential distributions surrounding a spinning, dielectriccoated, spherical spacecraft charging in sunlight. The sun direction is assumed to lie in the satellite bellyband plane, perpendicular to the spin axes. The models are based on a multipole expansion of Laplacian potentials external to the spacecraft surface. The combination of monopole potentials along with the dipole or quadrupole contributions produce potential barriers which form at the satellite surface. These barriers can block escaping photoelectrons and lead to current balance, allowing sunlight charging to high negative levels. In a previous treatment, analytic models were limited to fast spin relative to differential charging rates so that the solutions had azimuthal symmetry around the spin axes. By introducing an associated Legendre term into the potential expansion, the azimuthal symmetry is removed, and the models can be developed to encompass any spin rate. The analysis turns up three functions of spin rate which are only known at the spin limits, but the characteristics of the charging of a rotating sphere can be explored using approximate forms which represent the basic trends. For finite spin, the sunlit side charges less (negatively) than the shade side which is in contrast to the fast spin case, where these two potentials are equal. Also, for finite spin, differential charging develops perpendicular to the sun and spin axis directions, due to the transverse motion. This transverse charging occurs at all finite spin rates, disappearing only at the zero and infinite spin limits. There is a correlated lag angle between the direction of maximum sheath radius and the sun line. Plots are given to illustrate the potential distributions representing barrier dominated sunlight charging of a spinning dielectric coated spherical satellite.

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Analytic Models for Sunlight Charging of a Rapidly Spinning Satellite

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

Analytic models for a rapidly spinning spherical satellite charging in sunlight

Analytic models for a rapidly spinning spherical satellite charging in sunlight

Analytic models for a spherical satellite charging in sunlight at any spin rate

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