Large-Scale Particle Simulations on Spacecraft Interactions with Extreme Space Plasma Environment

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870421
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Space and upper atmospheric physics; Plasma science
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: MIYAKE Yohei 神戸大学, 大学院システム情報学研究科, 助教 (50547396)
• Research Collaborator: USUI Hideyuki 神戸大学, 大学院システム情報学研究科, 教授 (10243081)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 衛星プラズマ相互作用 / 宇宙プラズマ / 衛星帯電 / 太陽コロナプラズマ / プラズマ粒子シミュレーション / 衛星電場計測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We study the scientific spacecraft interactions with near-Sun plasma environment via three-dimensional electromagnetic plasma particles simulations. The major results of the present study are summarized as below, and the obtained knowledge is applicable to future scientific spacecraft design. 1. Although a large flux of photoelectrons is emitted from s spacecraft, the spacecraft in near-Sun environment charges negatively due to space-charge effects associated with the emitted electrons. 2. The photoelectron distribution shows clear asymmetry near the spacecraft due to an ambient electric field associated with the plasma convection. This environmental asymmetry results in an intense spurious electric field of 100 mV/m. 3. The large flux of photoelectrons causes local magnetic perturbation around the spacecraft, which is in the order of a few nT.

Free Research Field

宇宙プラズマ理工学