GEO Spacecraft Worst-Case Charging Estimation by Numerical Simulation

J.C. Matéo-Vélez (1) , C. Pignal (1) , N. Balcon (2) , D. Payan (2) , P. Sarrailh (1) , S.L.G. Hess (1)

1 ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab [Toulouse]
2 CNES - Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse]

This paper presents a numerical estimation of spacecraft surface charging that combines the effects of both spacecraft material properties and severe environments, often called worst-cases. A series of simulations with the SPIS-GEO tool (Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software) is analysed in order to determine if a worst-case environment can be extracted from the literature. The simulation especially focuses on the conductivity parameters, especially radiation induced. It is found hardly feasible to define a single and global worst-case, applicable to all situations.

Keywords: SPACECRAFT CHARGING; WORST-CASE ENVIRONMENT; RADIATION INDUCED CONDUCTIVITY

Domains: Space Physics [physics.space-ph]

J.C. Matéo-Vélez, C. Pignal, N. Balcon, D. Payan, P. Sarrailh, et al.. GEO Spacecraft Worst-Case Charging Estimation by Numerical Simulation. Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference 2014 (13th SCTC), Jun 2014, PASADENA, United States. ⟨hal-01070320⟩