loading page

Parker Solar Probe FIELDS instrument charging in the near Sun environment: Part II - Comparison of In-Flight Data and Modeling Results
  • +2
  • Millan Fernando Diaz-Aguado,
  • John W. Bonnell,
  • Stuart D. Bale,
  • Joseph Wang,
  • Mike Gruntman
Millan Fernando Diaz-Aguado
Millennium Engineering and Integration

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
John W. Bonnell
University of California
Author Profile
Stuart D. Bale
Unversity of California
Author Profile
Joseph Wang
University of Southern California
Author Profile
Mike Gruntman
University of Southern California
Author Profile

Abstract

This research shows Part II of the Spacecraft Interaction Plasma Software (SPIS) used to model the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) FIELDS instrument and its interactions with the Solar Wind. Flight data was used to run the PSP model and compared with models using past predicted parameters. The effect of voltage biasing between the antenna, its shield, and the spacecraft on the current balance of each surface was investigated at first perihelion (0.16AU). The model data was reduced to I-V curves to find current saturations (analysis results 52µA versus flight results 54-72 µA), and sheath resistances (analysis results of 307 kΩ versus flight results of 51 kΩ). The recommended bias current to ensure optimal sensitivity of the FIELDS antenna was between -52 µA and -22 µA, which corresponded to a differential potential with respect to the spacecraft between -5V and 5V. The analysis also shows that plasma sheath of the FIELDS antenna and the plasma sheath of the FIELDS shield interacted between each other with an impedance of ~220kΩ.