satellite surface potential survey

Abstract

Results of Kapton differential voltage charging of the satellite surface potential monitor Kapton samples are presented for the first 100 days of P78-2 operations. Daily charging occurrences are plotted in magnetic local time and L-shell (altitude and magnetic latitude) space as a function of magnetic activity. Most of the low level charging occurs well into the dawn local time sector whereas the highest voltage levels occur in the premidnight local time sector. The probabilities of differential charging are extremely dependent on the local time sector, the altitude (or L-shell) and of course, the magnetic activity.