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The cylindrical electrostatic probes for Atmosphere Explorer ‐C,‐D, and ‐E
Author(s) -
Brace L. H.,
Theis R. F.,
Dalgarno A.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs008i004p00341
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , electron , orbit (dynamics) , ion , low earth orbit , computational physics , reliability (semiconductor) , atomic physics , physics , aerospace engineering , meteorology , satellite , astronomy , thermodynamics , power (physics) , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
This paper briefly describes the cylindrical electrostatic probes to be used on the new Atmosphere Explorer‐C, ‐D, and ‐E, and outlines the methods to be employed to analyze the experimental data in terms of electron temperature and ion and electron concentration. Two independent cylindrical sensors and partially redundant electronic systems permit greater reliability in measurements. Measurements are made at 1‐sec and 2‐sec intervals along the orbit. The sensors themselves have been modified from previous applications to cope with the lower electron temperature expected in these low‐altitude orbits and to counter possible surface contamination caused by the hydrazine engines used for orbit adjustments.