IONOSPHERIC PLASMA NEUTAL AND CHARGED COMPONENT DIAGNOSTICS ABOARD THE SICH-2 SPACECRAFT

Based on the results of experiments on the ITM plasmoelectrodynamic bench and theoretical studies, instruments for ionospheric plasma diagnostics have been made and tested. The instruments are used as part of the Potential instrumentation system installed on the platform of the Sich-2 spacecraft put into orbit on August 17, 2011.

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Ionosheric plasma neutral (1) and charged (2) component sensors of

the Potential spaceborne instrumentation system

ITM plasmoelectrodynamic bench

in a vacuum chamber in a plasma flow

Preflight bench tests of the instruments

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The results of flight tests and the preliminary analysis and processing of the sensor signal data have made it possible to determine the basic kinetic parameters of the neutral and charged plasma components, which characterize the state of the Sich-2 environment.

1:4 model of the spacecraft platform in a plasma flow on the ITM benchPostflight bench tests simulating the operating conditions of the

sensors aboard the Sich-2 spacecraft

1, 2 – sensors of neutral and charged particles