Abstract
The Active Potential Controller was used to avoid the risk of damaging the life of astronauts outside spaceships in outer space by controlling the potential of the spaceship. This paper analyzed the structure of the Active Potential Controller by dynamic simulation, including setting up a finite element method (FEM) model, modal character and frequency response. At last, the designing and analysis was proved by the data from a vibration test. In this field, decreasing the weight was a key theme, the goal is cutting the cost. But cancelling or improving the sine vibration test could also save a lot cost, either for the payload or the satellite.
Highlights
The solar cell array, with high voltage of 100V, was applied on a cargo spaceship, causing that the cargo ship was keeping at the potential of -100V, comparing with the solar cell array and the surrounding plasma
This paper introduced the active potential controller on the first cargo ship of our country
The active potential controller on the first cargo ship of our country was composed of plasma contactor, radio frequency (RF) power source, control unit, potential probe and supply unit, showed in fig 3
Summary
The solar cell array, with high voltage of 100V, was applied on a cargo spaceship, causing that the cargo ship was keeping at the potential of -100V, comparing with the solar cell array and the surrounding plasma. If an astronaut worked outside the spaceship, he or she would stay at similar potential with nearing plasma in the space environment. When this astronaut got back, the large potential difference would cause terrible discharge and damage to the life of the astronaut. The active potential controller on the first cargo ship of our country was composed of plasma contactor, radio frequency (RF) power source, control unit, potential probe and supply unit, showed in fig 3. The potential probe monitored the potential of a spacecraft If it exceeds a special safety threshold, the power and control centre sends control signal to the RF source to drive the plasma source start to launch plasma. All information of the parameters of the plasma source was collected by the power and control centre to calculate and optimize to make the plasma source work at optimal state
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
