The Effects Of Gas Contamination On High Power Systems In The Space Environment

A problem for high voltage insulation in the space environment is the contamination caused by gas molecules generated by the spacecraft. Such contamination results from material outgassing and from spacecraft generated effluents. Gaseous contamination, resulting in both neutral and ionized species, degrades the vacuum insulation leading to lowered electrical break down thresholds. The problem is compounded by interaction with other aspects of the space environment, including radiation, plasma, and the earth´s magnetic field. This presentation reviews the results of a study over the past three years on the generation and effects of gas contamination on high voltage and high power space systems. The study includes the generation of gas contam inants from outgassing and effluent sources, the sub sequent distribution of the gas molecules throughout and around the spacecraft structure, and effects on spacecraft electrical systems. Applications to several recent high voltage and pulsed power space experiments will be discussed.