Abstract
Theory and particle simulation results are presented for ionospheric plasma flow over large high-voltage space platforms at a large angle of attack. Both the transient formation of the space-charge wake and its steady-state structure are studied. The wake-side ion impact and current collection are obtained. It is found that the wake behind a high-voltage plate is characterized by two ion-rich sheaths embedded in a quasineutral background wake. The embedded sheath is formed by the ions passing through the sheath around the plate edge and serves as their trajectory path. Depending on the surface potential, the plate dimension, and the angle of attack, the embedded sheath may either extend downstream or curve back to form a ‘‘hook’’ structure. As a result, the plate’s wake-side surface may receive a high, localized ion flux at the location the embedded sheath strikes.
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