Analysis of triboelectric charging of launch vehicle fairings

A computer program was developed which uses finite element modeling to analyze the charging and discharging of launch vehicle fairings during ascent. The output of the program was used to quantify a number of significant parameters with respect to the fairing charging. Among the results was the area and magnitude of the discharge. Insight into the current flow pattern in the area of the discharge was gained. The discharges were found to be localized events which did not propagate through the launch vehicle but circulated in a small area of the dielectric. The current flows at the time of the breakdown acted to balance the charges in the area of the breakdown. The balancing current flow was facilitated by the presence of the conducting layer. This action tended to stabilize the charge in the area quickly, thereby closing the breakdown area and terminating the discharge