ARC propagation, emission and damage on spacecraft dielectrics: A review

Abstract

This paper is a review of the literature on the subject of arc discharges on spacecraft dielectric materials that have become charged by energetic electrons and ions. The results discussed will be mainly from laboratory measurements of the properties of these arc discharges. Arcs resulting from the charging of spacecraft dielectrics can be extremely strong because the charge over a large area is mobilized through the phenomenon of arc propagation. The resultant damage patterns on the dielectric will be shown to be related to the arc patterns, and to the optical anisotropy and crystallinity of the material. The evidence for dielectric melting is suggestive of likely contamination of nearby surfaces. The effectiveness of arc barriers sheds light on arc propagation mechanisms. Coupling to external circuits can be deduced from blowoff calculations and from nearfield measurements of arc currents. Exposed dielectric edges contributed to charge accumulation and arc triggering. Broad-spectrum, high-energy incident electrons can cause charging and discharging internal to the spacecraft.