Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 94, Jan. 1, 1989, p. 453-471.
Three different electrical charging and neutralization processes were experienced during gun operation in the Argon Release Controlled Studies rocket flights, which carried ion generators to 400-500 km in the nighttime auroral ionosphere: DC charging of the vehicle, brief charging at gun turn-on, and extended oscillatory sequences. The present analysis of these phenomena has determined that, during oscillatory events, the entire environment of a payload could alternate between hot electron and cold electron configurations at rates which may have been in excess of 10 kHz.
Major Subject Terms: ELECTROSTATIC PROBES, HEAVY IONS, PAYLOADS, PLASMA- PARTICLE INTERACTIONS, SPACECRAFT CHARGING
Minor Subject Terms: ARGON, AURORAL ZONES, ION INJECTION, IONOSPHERIC DRIFT, ROCKET SOUNDING
CASI Accession Number: A8924293 ISSN 0148-0227