About the parametric interplay between ionic mach number, body-size, and satellite potential in determining the ion depletion in the wake of the S3-2 Satellite

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA13p11161· OSTI ID:5289131

Samir, U; Wildman, P J; Rich, F; Brinton, H C; Sagalyn, R C

Measurements of ion current, electron temperature, and density and values of satellite potential from the U.S. Air Force Satellite S3-2 together with ion composition measurements from the Atmosphere Explorer (AE-E) satellite were used to examine the variation of the ratio ..cap alpha.. = (I/sub +/(wake))/(I/sub +/(ambient)) (where I/sub +/ is the ion current) with altitude and to examine the significance of the parametric interplay between ionic Mach number, normalized body size R/sub D/( = R0/lambda/sub D/, where R/sub 0/ is the satellite radius and lambda/sub D/ is the ambient debye length) and normalized body potenital phi/sub N/( = ephis/KT/sub e/, where phi/sub s/ is the satellite potential, T/sub e/ is the electron temperature, and e and K are constants). It was possible to separate between the influence of R/sub D/ and phi/sub N/ on ..cap alpha.. for a specific range parameters. Uncertainty, however, remains regarding the competiton between R/sub D/ and S(H/sup +/) and S(O/sup +/) are oxygen and hydrogen ionic Mach numbers, respectively) in determining the ion distribution in the nearest vicincity to the satellite surface. A brief discussion relevant to future experiments in the area of body plasma flow interactions to be conducted on board the Shuttle/Spacelab facility, is also included.

• Research Organization: Space Physics Research Laboratory, Univeristy of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
• OSTI ID: 5289131
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:A13; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COLLISIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ION COLLISIONS
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONOSPHERE
MACH NUMBER
PARTICLE SIZE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
SATELLITES
SIZE
VELOCITY