GBT26A-565

Probing Electrostatic Discharge from Satellites in MEO and GEO

Abstract

Satellites proliferation from LEO to GEO is driven by the ever increasing role that space-based technologies play in navigation, communication, and remote sensing of our planet and solar system. These satellites are impacted by the harsh environment where they are constantly bathed in high energy particles. The ~keV electrons within this environment can lead to large differential charges across the satellite. After reaching a critical threshold, this charge is dissipated by electrostatic discharge (ESD) that can damage or destroy the satellite. Monitoring and/or mitigation of charging is expensive and limiting for many systems, leaving a gap in our understanding of the processes at work. Ground-based radio remote sensing of ESD signals using Arecibo at 340 MHz found evidence for discharges from MEO and GEO satellites and highlighted the potential for such studies to improve our understanding of the drivers of ESD on satellites. We propose a pilot filler program to use the GBT to confirm the ESD detections from Arecibo and, if successful, set the stage for future efforts. The greatly expanded sky coverage of GBT enables flexible targeting of satellites across the sky, expanding exploration of possible correlations with satellite design, materials and/or charging environments.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Evan Smith	Green Bank Observatory
Tracy Clarke *	Naval Research Laboratory
Stephen WHITE	Maryland, University of; New Mexico, University of; US Air Force Research Laboratory
Henrique Schmitt	Naval Research Laboratory

* indicates the PI