Passive electrical grounding of a spacecraft to the ambient plasma environment
AssigneeHughes Electronics Corporation
InventorsJ. Michael Bodeau, Ray Stribling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spacecraft includes a spacecraft base structure having an externally facing, electrically conducting spacecraft surface, with the spacecraft structure including a solar cell array. A grounding structure has an externally facing, electrically conducting plasma grounding surface, and an electrical ground extends between the plasma grounding surface and the spacecraft base structure. In space, the spacecraft is oriented with the plasma grounding surface facing the sun. Electron photoemission from the plasma grounding surface balances electron charging of that portion of the spacecraft surface that does not face the sun, preventing electrical charging of the spacecraft relative to the plasma environment.
Claims20
A spacecraft, comprising:
- a spacecraft base structure comprising an externally facing, electrically conducting spacecraft surface, the spacecraft base structure including a solar cell array;
- a grounding structure separate from the solar cell array and having an externally facing, electrically conducting plasma grounding surface;
- and
- an electrical ground extending between the plasma grounding surface, the spacecraft base structure, and the electrically conducting spacecraft surface.
A method of preventing a buildup of electrical charges on a spacecraft, comprising the steps of:
- providing a spacecraft comprising
- a spacecraft base structure comprising an externally facing, electrically conducting spacecraft surface, and further including a solar cell array,
- a grounding structure separate from the solar cell array and having an externally facing, electrically conducting plasma grounding surface, and
- an electrical ground extending between the plasma grounding surface, the spacecraft base structure, and the electrically conducting spacecraft surface;
- and
- placing the spacecraft into space;
- and
- orienting the spacecraft with the plasma grounding surface facing toward the sun.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.