Actions for Three-dimensional plasma measurements from three-axis stabilized spacecraft [electronic resource].

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Three-dimensional plasma measurements from three-axis stabilized spacecraft [electronic resource].

Published
Los Alamos, N.M. : Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1988.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description
Pages: 36 : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators
Los Alamos National Laboratory and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary
Future planetary missions require that comprehensive three-dimensional measurements of electrons and mass-resolved ions be made from three-axis stabilized spacecraft. In order to make these measurements without requiring expensive and resource intensive platforms to scan space mechanically, we are developing various systems that are designed to scan space electrostatically. These systems also make it possible to circumvent the significant shadowing that would be present even with a scan platform, caused by necessary spacecraft appendages such as communications antennas and a power source (RTG or solar cell panels). The systems, which are axially symmetric, select particles arriving from 360/degree/ in azimuth along conical surfaces whose polar (or elevation) angles, referenced to the instrument symmetry axes, are determined by applying suitable deflection voltages to shapes deflectors. Particles thus selected in polar angle pass into spherically or toroidally-shaped electrostatic analyzers. After analysis, the 360/degree/ outputs of the analyzers are divided into discrete angular swaths to provide azimuthal angle resolution. In the case of electrons, the analyzed particles can be detected directly; in the case of ions, the particles in each swath can be counted directly, or further analyzed with time-of-flight or magnetic analyzers to obtain the velocity distributions of the separated major ion constituents. We present computer simulations of particle paths through the various analyzers of this type and show results from laboratory calibrations of prototypes.
Report Numbers
E 1.99:la-ur-88-3145
E 1.99: conf-8802110-1
conf-8802110-1
la-ur-88-3145
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Other Subject(s)
Note
Published through SciTech Connect.
01/01/1988.
"la-ur-88-3145"
" conf-8802110-1"
"DE89000361"
Yosemite conference on outstanding problems in solar system plasma physics: theory and instrumentation, Yosemite, CA, USA, 2 Feb 1988.
Young, D.T.; Martin, R.H.; Marshall, J.A.; Burch, J.L.; McComas, D.J.; Bame, S.J.
Funding Information
W-7405-ENG-36
View MARC record | catkey: 14745892