Negative shuttle charging during TSS 1R

Abstract

We studied 21 intervals during the TSS 1R deployment with a 15 Ω or 25 kΩ resistor connecting the tether to shuttle ground. Ion spectral peaks detected by the Shuttle Potential and Return Electron Experiment indicate that the shuttle consistently charged negatively with respect to the local plasma. With the 15 Ω shunt in the circuit, shuttle potential, Φs, decreased from −17 to −245 V as tether length, L, increased to 2.6 km. Current in the circuit depended strongly on ionospheric density. With the 25 kΩ resistor in place, Φs ≈ −300 V in the low density, nightside ionosphere with L = 5.1 km. Near local noon Φs ≈ −80 V with L = 17.2 km. The shuttle charged to ∼−600 V during two dawn terminator crossings, one with and one without thruster firings. As on TSS 1, firings of two aft vernier thrusters significantly increased |Φs|. In the case without thruster firings, simultaneous variations of Φs, tether current, and the inferred satellite potential are consistent with strong azimuthal and vertical ionospheric density gradients. These are the first known direct measurements of strong negative shuttle charging.