Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-1995
Journal Title
Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume Number
100
Issue Number
A10
First Page
19805
Last Page
19808
DOI
10.1029/95JA01986
Version
Publisher PDF: the final published version of the article, with professional formatting and typesetting
Disciplines
Physics
Abstract
High‐velocity impacts of interplanetary dust grains with spacecraft can give rise to transient plasma clouds from the spacecraft bodies. It is believed these plasma clouds can affect spacecraft instruments. Laboratory results are presented demonstrating the interaction of small expanding plasma clouds with a simple antenna. Results corroborate the hypothesized origin of anomalous impulsive voltage signals recorded by Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft during flybys of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) during its flyby of comet Giacobini‐Zinner, and Vega during its flyby of comet Halley. Results suggest that preflight calibration of antenna‐plasma interactions may extend the range of spacecraft diagnostics.
Digital USD Citation
Sheehan, D. P.; Casey, C. A.; and Volz, L. T., "Interaction of an expanding plasma cloud with a simple antenna: Application to anomalous voltage signals observed by Voyager 1, Voyager 2, ICE, and Vega spacecraft" (1995). Physics and Biophysics: Faculty Scholarship. 11.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/phys-faculty/11