Accession Number:

ADA191014

Title:

Survey of the Air Force P78-2 (SCATHA) Satellite Plasma Wave Data during Electron Gun Operations.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis Jun-Dec 87,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Lowery, Donald R.

Report Date:

1987-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

96.0

Abstract:

The Air Force p78-2 satellite, known as SCATHA, was designed to study spacecraft charging processes at geosynchronous orbit. This thesis examines the plasma wave data taken during two periods when active experiments were conducted with the electron gun. Emissions at the electron gyrofrequency were stimulated by the operation of the electron gun on some occasions. These indicate interaction between the electron beam and plasma at local resonant frequencies of the plasma. A major objective of this thesis is to catalogue the characteristics of the plasma wave data common to the modes of operation of the electron gun. The purpose is to provide a baseline for analysis of data not only from SCATHA, but from other spacecraft including the space shuttle orbiter. Stimulated emissions at characteristic frequencies dependent on gun current and voltage were identified. These were consistently observed during the experiment presented here, and other events analyzed but not displayed. Keywords Scatha satellite Electron guns Electron beams Electron Cyclotron frequency.

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRIC CHARGE
• *ELECTRON BEAMS
• *PLASMA WAVES
• *SPACECRAFT
• *SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
• CYCLOTRON WAVES
• ELECTRON GUNS
• ELECTRONS
• EMISSION
• RESONANT FREQUENCY
• SPACE SHUTTLES
• STIMULATION(GENERAL)
• SYNCHRONOUS SATELLITES
• TELEMETERING DATA
• THESES
• EARTH ORBITS
• VERY LOW FREQUENCY
• HIGH FREQUENCY

Subject Categories:

• Astronautics
• Unmanned Spacecraft
• Particle Accelerators

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE