Ground-based simulation for the effects of space plasma on spacecraft

Plasma ground tests introduced some kind of facilities to study spacecraft interaction with ionospheric plasmas at NRIAG. In this paper, the description of design and performance of our ground based simulation plasma in low earth orbit (LEO) are presented. Different types of solar arrays and samples of spacecraft's surface materials have been tested in the vacuum chamber under the effects of the generated plasma. Diagnostic tools are used to measure arc current, and record the variations in the potential. The obtained data is used to study the correlation between external parameters (discharge voltage plasma density, additional capacitance and resistance, bias voltage: etc.). Moreover, we analyze the characteristics of some processes such as plasma waveform, surface charging and potentials, and pulse width arc current and amplitude. Argon gas is used to generate plasma for simulating the plasma properties. The application of this plasma flowing gives the threshold in voltage and current at which potential the current is cut off in the connector. The effect of the plasma on an aluminum thin layer and a solar cell sample which are used on spacecraft surfaces is studied. © 2012 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.