Numerical Simulations of Plasma Processes near Spacecraft

Abstract

Numerical simulations of plasma processes taking place near spacecraft require fully-kinetic modeling of plasmas, proper particle and field conditions at spacecraft surfaces, and sound parallelization strategy adapted for modern supercomputers. Some relevant techniques are presented, with particular focus on the use of the particle-in-cell approach, charge redistribution processed on conducting surfaces, and a robust load balancing algorithm for distributed-memory parallel computers. Example applications to emerging spacecraft-plasma interaction problems are presented, on spacecraft charging processes in non-stationary space environments as well as electron acceleration processes within microwave discharge chambers designed for ion thrusters.