Charge Neutralization via Arcing on a Large Solar Array in the GEO Plasma Environment

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the arc plasma propagation phenomena in a geostationary-orbit plasma environment. Electrostatic discharge tests were carried out using a large solar-array coupon (400 times 400 mm). The coupon consisted of 50 Si cells. The surface potential of the solar-array coupon immediately after arc inception was measured. The area neutralized due to arc plasma propagation differed in each arc. Some arcs neutralized a large area of solar cells even though the ratio of neutralization was not 100% everywhere. As the distance from the arc site increased, less charge was generally neutralized. The arc plasma propagation velocity was of the order of 10⁴ m/s; but, it differed widely in each arc