Adjustment of practical interface for ELFs-charm mounting on a satellite (Electron-emitting Film for Spacecraft Charging Mitigation)

摘要

A satellite must have high reliability to ensure operation throughout its life-time as it cannot be repaired on orbit. But examples of failures of some satellites have been reported all over the world. One cause of on orbit failure is the charge and discharge phenomenon. Kyushu Institute of Technology is developing ELFs-charm (ELectron-emitting Film for spacecraft charging mitigation), which is a technique to mitigate the charging and discharges of geosynchronous orbit satellites. ELFs-charm is expected to passively emit electrons from the satellite. An electronic board that can be used for flight demonstration onboard a GF.O satellite has been designed. During full-operation, ELFs-charm can be mounted on the satellite chassis by conductive adhesive. But for the flight demonstration, there is a need to measure the emission current, at least. Therefore, some electrical interface with the satellite is necessary. The interface has been made as simple as possible so that the minimum change is required to the satellite design when the flight demonstration is carried out.