volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

This paper presents the effect of solar illumination on the differential potential generated on the surfaces of spacecraft body in space. Two geometrical cases are considered: 1) Cylindrical symmetry and 2) Tilted metallic plates forming an angle with the adjacent side. The capacitance required for estimation of the body potential is computed by Method of Moment. Nonuniform triangular meshing is used for both the geometrical structures. The differential potential generated on surfaces of a geometrical body due to photoelectric effect results in electrostatic discharge. In the case of the tilted plates, the differential potential at various tilt-angles is computed along with the capacitance computation. In the case of the cylindrical object, the estimation of potential at the day-night interface is shown. The variation in the potential for different incident angles of the solar photons and the changing (h/r) ratio is analyzed. The validity of the analysis is established with that obtained in open literature.

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Dr. Rizwan Habibbhai Alad

Dr. Haely Shah

Dr. Soumyabrata B. Chakrabarty

Dr. Dhairya Shah