Methods of Measuring Electric Fields

To determine the potential of a spacecraft, an electric field meter is needed to measure the field at the surface and in the neighborhood of the craft. A search was made for field measuring methods which would not involve rapidly moving parts. Several of these methods are discussed along with some experimental work performed to determine their feasibility. The use of the Stark effect in the rotational spectra of gases appears to be the most promising method considered and it is discussed in more detail.