Simulation of in-flight ESD anomalies triggered by photoemission, micrometeoroid impact and pressure pulse

Energetic electrons encountered in space produce electrostatic discharges (ESD) resulting from potential growth of dielectrics up to the breakdown threshold. Materials with very high threshold are often considered as rather safe for ESD. In-flight observed anomalies and experimental results presented in this paper show that discharges can be obtained for potential lower than the threshold by triggering events such as photon illumination, micrometeoroid impacts or pressure and plasma pulse.