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

Author(s)

D. P. Sheehan, University of San DiegoFollow
C. A. Casey, University of California, Irvine
L. T. Volz, University of California, Irvine

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