Engineering topics

Zuccaro, D. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Zuccaro, D. R..

7 records

NASA NTRS1982

Planar ion trap (retarding potential analyzer) experiment for atmosphere explorer

The retarding potential analyzer and drift meter were carried aboard all three Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft. These instruments measure the total thermal ion concentration and temperature, the bulk thermal ion velocity vector and some limited properties of the relative abundance of H(+), He(+), O(+) and molecular ions. These instruments functioned with no internal failures on all the spacecraft. On AE-E there existed some evidence for external surface contamination that damaged the integrity of the RPA sweep grids. This led to some difficulties in data reduction and interpretation that did not prove to be a disastrous problem. The AE-D spacecraft functioned for only a few months before it re-entered. During this time the satellite suffered from a nutation about the spin axis of about + or - 2 deg. This 2 deg modulation was superimposed upon the ion drift meter horizontal ion arrival angle output requiring the employment of filtering techniques to retrieve the real data.

Hanson, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A technique for establishing a reference potential on satellites in planetary ionospheres

A simple, nearly passive technique is described that allows a spacecraft sensor to be driven to a potential close to that of a plasma where the ion concentration exceeds about 100 per cu cm even in the presence of a large vehicle potential. Such a technique may become increasingly useful in the event that compatibility constraints in the Space Shuttle demand a 28-V negative ground spacecraft system.

Zuccaro, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Ion Drift Meter for Dynamics Explorer

The ion drift meter for Dynamics Explorer B is discussed. It measures two mutually perpendicular angles of arrival of thermal ions with respect to the sensor look directions. These angles lie in the vertical and horizontal planes and may be thought of as pitch and yaw in the conventional aerodynamic sense. The components of the ion drift velocity along vertical and horizontal axes through the spacecraft body are derived to first order from knowledge of the spacecraft velocity vector and more accurately with additional knowledge of the component of ion drift along the sensor look direction.

Heelis, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The Retarding Potential Analyzer for Dynamics Explorer-B

The Retarding Potential Analyzer for Dynamics Explorer B measures the bulk ion velocity in the direction of the spacecraft motion, the constituent ion concentrations and the ion temperature along the satellite path. These parameters are derived from a least squares fit to the ion number flux versus energy curve obtained by sweeping or stepping the voltage applied to the internal retarding grids of the RPA. In addition, the spectral characteristics of irregularities in the total ion concentration are determined by high time resolution measurements and by use of a comb filter. These data are obtained from a separate wide aperture-sensor.

Hanson, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The Ion Drift Meter for Dynamics Explorer-B

The Ion Drift Meter on Dynamics Explorer-B measures two mutually perpendicular angles of arrival of thermal ions with respect to the sensor look direction. These measurements are used to derive two components of the ambient thermal ion drift velocity, which together with the third component from the Retarding Potential Analyzer instrument provide the total velocity. The Ion Drift Meter technique yields high temporal resolution measurements essential in the studies of the convection pattern and energy deposition in the ionosphere.

Heelis, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The Martian ionosphere as observed by the Viking retarding potential analyzers

The first in situ measurements of the ionosphere of another planet were obtained by retarding potential analyzers of the Viking landers. These results are presented with attention to: (1) the determination of the peak ion concentration in the ionosphere layer at several altitudes, (2) the measurement of ion temperatures, and (3) an equatorward horizontal ion velocity observed at various heights. Both landers entered the ionosphere layer at solar zenith angles near 44 deg, and more structure was observed in the height profiles of ionospheric quantities on Viking 2, although the profiles were similar in shape to those of Viking 1.

Hanson, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1973

The retarding-potential analyzer on Atmosphere Explorer.

A planar retarding-potential analyzer will be included in each of the Atmosphere Explorer (AE) payloads. The primary functions of the instrument are to supply ion-temperature and ion-concentration data, which it will do at least once every 40 km of flight path in the region of interest with an expected accuracy of better than 2%. In addition, the instrument will determine ion-drift velocities and energy spectra of both the thermal and suprathermal electrons. During eclipse, negative-ion concentrations greater than 0.3/cu cm can be detected, though the normal positive-ion sensitivity is approximately 1.5 ions per cu cm. Changes in the ion concentration along the flight path greater than 0.1% can be monitored with a spatial resolution of less than 40 m.

Hanson, W. B.↗