THE V × B INTERACTION OF A SATELLITE WITH ITS ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

An earth satellite moving through the upper ionosphere interacts with the earth's magnetic field and the ambient plasma in such a way that a region of perturbed plasma, or "V × B" sheath, is formed around the vehicle. This paper analyzes the formation of such a plasma sheath, with particular reference to topside sounder satellites, and proposes a method for minimizing the adverse effects of such sheaths on the operation of the satellite or the experiments carried thereon.An account is given of the requirements necessary for the simulation in the laboratory of an earth satellite environment, at an altitude of approximately 1 000 km. The various diagnostic techniques used for the investigation of a simulated environment produced in a laboratory apparatus are described and the simulation conditions are shown to be satisfied.Experiments are described which are designed to test the theoretical model of the satellite in its environment, and specifically, to test the operation of the proposed technique for the elimination of the adverse effects of the V × B plasma sheaths formed around the instrumented body of a satellite carrying large antennas.