Using the data collected by sensors in the defense space test program in the US Department of Defense 6 (STP-SAT6) in the geological orbit, scientists have found that the number of electrical discharges on a spacecraft is directly related to the number of electrons in the surrounding environment-information that can better help them understand how to protect equipment in space.
The drainage of the SEDS is a transient electrical collapse that can harm electronics and electronics on the plane.
The researchers have long knew that SEDS existed, but they did not understand the relationship between electrons in the space environment and SEDS.
“To do this, we needed two sensors on one spacecraft: one of them looked at the number and activity of electrons, and another looked at the radio frequency signal.”
These SEDS are usually the result of a difference in the surface charging caused by the accumulated electrons on the surfaces of the spacecraft in the orbit.
Unlike static electricity on the ground – when the energy accumulates when someone goes through a rug, for example, causing a spark when the finger touches the door handle – electrical discharge occurs in the space environment when the accumulation of energy on the spacecraft eventually reaches a large effort enough energy.
STP-SAT6 contains both sensors on the plane, giving researchers a unique opportunity to look simultaneously in both radio frequency and electron activity data.
“We were able to see the SEDS rate reported by the radio frequency sensor and compared it to the electron particles actively within the scope of a specific effort,” said Dr. Nag.
“What we have learned is that the tops in SEDS are associated with the peaks in the electron activity.”
The authors looked at more than a year of the sensors, setting more than 270 high -rate SED periods and several hundreds of high electronic activity episodes.
In about three quarters of cases, the peaks in the electron activity preceded the SED events from 24 to 45 minutes.
This delay indicates that the accumulation of charging from low -energy electrons plays a major role in preparing the spacecraft for electrostatic drainage.
Dr. Nags said: “We noticed that with the increase in the electron activity, especially in the range from 7.9 to 12.2 kV, the spacecraft begins to collect fees.”
“This continues until the turning point is reached and SEDS speaks.”
“This leading deadline opens the door for potential prediction tools to relieve risk.”
“Future missions can integrate the actual time monitoring of low -energy electrons to predict and respond events before affecting operations.”
the results It appears in the magazine Progress in space research.
_____
Amitab Nag And others. 2025. The radio frequency associated with the electrone flow is measured on the STP-SAT6. Progress in space research 76 (6): 3692-3699; Doi: 10.1016/J.ASR.2025.07.026