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Current flow in a plasma caused by dielectric breakdownSpacecraft with a thin dielectric coating on the outer surface of the structure which are biased (-200 V) negative relative to the atmospheric plasma are susceptible to dielectric breakdown. This paper will present experimental tests designed to measure the electron current flow from the structure through the plasma during the arc. The current path was examined in three parts: the electrons supplied through the structure and the arc to the outer structure, the expansion of the arc into the ambient plasma, and the return current through the ambient plasma. The measured electron current either flowing from the plasma or supplied to the plasma by the arc in each case was compared to the random thermal electron current which could be collected. The results of the tests show a spacecraft is capable of supporting arcs with peak currents greater than thermal electron currents, and these currents will be dependent upon the amount of stored charge in the structure (i.e., the structure's surface area and dielectric thickness). Also, the results of these tests show that it is possible for structures with a self capacitance of 10 microFarads to see peak currents of 90 A and structures with 1000 microFarads (i.e., capacitance of one Space Station Freedom module) to produce peak currents of 1000 A.
Document ID
19920013130
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vaughn, J. A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Carruth, M. R., Jr. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Gray, P. A. (Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Huntsville AL., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Johnson Space Center, 5th Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 1991), Volume 2
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Accession Number
92N22373
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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