Magnetospheric effects of ion and atom injections by the satellite power system

Technical Report · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6765924· OSTI ID:6765924

Chiu, Y. T.; Luhmann, J. G.; Schulz, M.; Cornwall, J. M.

This is the final report of a two-year assessment of magnetospheric effects of the construction and operation of a satellite power system. This assessment effort is based on application of present scientific knowledge rather than on original scientific research. As such, it appears that mass and energy injections of the system are sufficient to modify the magnetosphere substantially, to the extent of possibly requiring mitigation measures for space systems but not to the extent of causing major redirection of efforts and concepts. The scale of the SPS is so unprecedentedly large, however, that these impressions require verification (or rejection) by in-depth assessment based on original scientific treatment of the principal issues. Indeed, it is perhaps appropriate to state that present ignorance far exceeds present knowledge in regard to SPS magnetospheric effects, even though we only seek to define the approximate limits of magnetospheric modifications here. Modifications of the space radiation environment, of the atmospheric airglow background, of the auroral response to solar activity and of the fluctuations in space plasma density are identified to be the principal impacts.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA (USA); Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6765924
• Report Number(s): ANL/EES-TM-94
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ARGON
AURORAE
EXHAUST GASES
HEATING
ION EMISSION
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA JETS
WATER
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
RARE GASES
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
WASTES
140400* - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects