Space plasma induced arcing on HV solar arrays

Author

Katz, I. ; Jongeward, G.A. ; Davis, V.A. ; Parks, D.E. ; Snyder, D.B.

Author_Institution

Maxwell Lab., La Jolla, CA, USA

Volume

25

Issue

2

fYear

1990

fDate

4/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

367

Lastpage

370

Abstract

The interactions between HV systems and the low-earth-orbit environment are reviewed. The mechanism responsible for the observed arcing on negatively biased solar arrays is discussed, and calculations of the plasma density dependence on the voltage threshold are compared with experiments. For positively biased systems, the enhancement of current collection resulting from neutral ionization within the electron collection sheath is discussed. Numerical simulations of the effect are also presented. The altitude and voltage range in which these two interactions will be important are discussed, and techniques are presented to ameliorate them

Keywords

arcs (electric); artificial satellites; plasma; solar cell arrays; space vehicle power plants; HV solar arrays; altitude; arcing amelioration techniques; arcing on negatively biased solar arrays; electron collection sheath; enhancement of current collection; interactions; low-earth-orbit environment; neutral ionization; plasma density dependence; positively biased systems; space plasma induced arcing; voltage range; voltage threshold; Electric breakdown; Electrons; Insulation; Ionization; Low voltage; Numerical simulation; Plasma density; Plasma simulation; Plasma sources; Surface discharges;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9367

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/14.52386

Filename

52386