NASCAP-2K: An Overview

Abstract

Nascap-2k is the modern replacement for the older 3-D charging codes NASCAP/GEO, NASCAP/LEO, POLAR, and DynaPAC. Built on the DynaPAC kernel and incorporating surface charging, environment and space potential models from the older codes, Nascap-2k performs charging calculations for a wide variety of space environments under control of a unified graphical interface. In this paper we illustrate the use of Nascap-2k for spacecraft charging calculations. We touch on some of the unique physical and mathematical models on which the code is based. Examples/demos include the use of Object Toolkit, charging calculations in geosynchronous substorm, solar wind, low earth orbit, and auroral environments, and display and analysis of surface potentials, space potentials and particle trajectories.