Spacecraft Charging

This chapter focuses on the aspects of the space environment that are most closely related to nonionizing electromagnetic effects, and the results of those effects, most of which manifest themselves in some form of electrostatic discharge and the ensuing damage therefrom. It also focuses on space plasma and its constituent elements, their interaction with the earth's geomagnetic field and the solar wind, and their aggregate effects and impacts on spacecraft, generally referred to as spacecraft charging. Spacecraft charging and satellite anomalies are closely linked, one to the other. Spacecraft charging may be generally defined as the accumulation of electrical charge by a spacecraft. The chapter provides historical background information regarding spacecraft charging. It presents a general description of the space environment and the various physical aspects of the electromagnetic environment known as the magnetosphere surrounding the earth out to several thousands of kilometers.