SEPAC data analysis in support of the environmental interaction program

Abstract

The main objective is to conduct data analyses of SEPAC data and computer modeling to investigate spacecraft environment effects associated with injection of electron beam, plasma clouds, and neutral gas clouds from the Shuttle Orbiter. To understand the dependence of spacecraft charging potential on beam density and other plasma parameters, a two dimensional electrostatic particle code was used to simulate the injection of electron beams from an infinite conductor into a plasma. The ionization effects on spacecraft charging are examined by including interactions of electrons with neutral gases. A survey of the simulation results is presented and discussed.