Spacecraft charging control demonstration at geosynchronous altitude

Abstract

ATS-6, which was launched on May 30, 1974, has now completed its first eclipse season. Potentials as great as 11,000 volts were observed between the spacecraft and ambient plasma. Both ATS-5 and 6 have ion engine experiments onboard. These experiments have been used to clamp the spacecraft potential slightly negative when emitting an ion beam and momentarily discharge the spacecraft when only operating the ion engine's neutralizing electron source. Descriptions of the neutralizer's operation and their effect on potential are presented. In addition, spacecraft charging data for ATS-5 and 6 are presented and correlated over the same eclipse season.