Title: Computation of free space capacitance of cylinder and truncated cone for spacecraft circuit modelling

Authors: B. Karthikeyan; V.K. Hariharan

Addresses: Scientific and Remote Sensing Satellite Integration Division, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560017, India ' GEOSAT Satellite Integration Division, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560017, India

Abstract: Absolute free space capacitance of cylinder and truncated cone is computed for spacecraft equivalent circuit modelling. The method of moment with triangular patch modelling based on the pulse basis function is employed. The curved triangular surfaces are represented by parametric geometric transformation. The moment integral is evaluated numerically in a parameter space using Gaussian quadrature algorithm and Duffy transformation method. The results are good matching with the previously published results. The derived expressions are simple and also fit for the spacecraft charging analysis software. Since this approach is more general, any curved surfaces that are encountered during spacecraft modelling, free space capacitance of that surface can be easily evaluated and hence, spacecraft potential can be predicted accurately.

Keywords: free space capacitance; electrostatic discharge; spacecraft charging; space environment; cylinders; truncated cones; spacecraft circuit modelling; triangular patch modelling; moment integral; curved surfaces; spacecraft modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2013.054455

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2013 Vol.1 No.2, pp.177 - 189

Received: 23 Mar 2012
Accepted: 19 Aug 2012
Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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