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Ion reflection by the TSS‐1R satellite
Author(s) -
Papadopoulos K.,
Chang C. L.,
Drobot A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl03768
Subject(s) - ion , satellite , rocket (weapon) , electron , ionosphere , reflection (computer programming) , physics , atomic physics , plasma , population , computational physics , geophysics , astronomy , nuclear physics , aerospace engineering , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology , computer science , engineering , programming language
The results of the TSS‐1R mission generated several scientific puzzles. First the current collection was much more efficient than predicted on the basis of theoretical models, and previous laboratory and rocket experiments. Second, a sharp transition in the interaction physics occurred at threshold potentials between 5–10 V. Third, a significant population of suprathermal electrons, heated ionospheric ions, and enhanced plasma waves were observed in the ram direction, following the transition. The letter contains a preliminary examination of the extent to which these phenomena are related to the interaction of the impinging ambient ram O + ions with the sheath surrounding the TSS satellite.