Journal article
The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter
JGR. Journal of geophysical research. Part A, Space physics, Vol.94(A6), pp.6866-6872
1989
DOI: 10.1029/JA094iA06p06866
Abstract
One of the objectives of the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) instrumentation on Spacelab 2 was to obtain information about the plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter. We present plasma density and electron temperature data obtained (1) while the PDP was attached to the shuttle remote manipulator system and (2) while the PDP was a free-flying satellite. Wake crossings by the PDP from ∼40 m to ∼240 m behind the orbiter provide information about the structure of the mid and far wake of the orbiter. As expected, the wake is characterized by density depressions, relative to the ambient ionospheric plasma, and by enhancements of the electron temperature, particularly in the near and mid wake. The observed electron temperature enhancements appear to be in line with previous spacecraft observations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The plasma wake of the shuttle orbiter
- Creators
- G. B Murphy - University of IowaD. L Reasoner - Univ. Iowa, dep. physics & astronomy, Iowa City IA 52242, United StatesA Tribble - Univ. Iowa, dep. physics & astronomy, Iowa City IA 52242, United StatesN D'ANGELO - Univ. Iowa, dep. physics & astronomy, Iowa City IA 52242, United StatesJ. S Pickett - University of IowaW. S Kurth - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- JGR. Journal of geophysical research. Part A, Space physics, Vol.94(A6), pp.6866-6872
- DOI
- 10.1029/JA094iA06p06866
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Publisher
- American Geophysical Union
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1989
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984455577602771
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