NSSDCA ID: 1983-116A-02
Mission Name: STS 9/Spacelab 1The experiment objectives were to carry out active and interactive experiments in the earth's ionosphere to study (1) auroral production in the upper atmosphere, (2) ionospheric parameters such as anomalous resistivity, plasma coupling processes, electric and magnetic field morphology, vehicle charge neutralization, Shuttle/Spacelab induced environments, electron beam/neutral-plume interaction, the coupling between the earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere, and (3) the effects of particle interactions on atmospheric dynamics. The equipment consisted of an electron beam accelerator, magneto plasma dynamic (MPD) arcjet, battery/capacitor bank to provide high discharge current, monitor and diagnostic devices, and control, display, and data management systems. The electron beam accelerator, MPD arcjet, and neutral gas ejector were contained in the accelerator subsystem. The electron beam accelerator was capable of operating at voltages from 1 to 7.5 kV at a maximum of 1.5 A and with a variable pulse width of from 10 ms to 1 s. The MPD arcjet used argon gas and had an energy input of 2 kJ per pulse. The third accelerator component was a neutral gas plume generator which used nitrogen as the gas. Approximately 80% of the planned objectives were accomplished.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. William T. Roberts | Other Investigator | NASA Marshall Space Flight Center | |
Prof. Peter M. Banks | Other Investigator | Stanford University | pbanks@engin.umich.edu |
Dr. James L. Burch | Other Investigator | Southwest Research Institute | jburch@swri.edu |
Dr. Charles R. Chappell | Other Investigator | NASA Marshall Space Flight Center | rick.chappell@vanderbilt.edu |
Dr. William W. L. Taylor | Other Investigator | TRW Systems Group | |
Prof. Tatsuzo Obayashi | Principal Investigator | Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science |