Influence of plasma contactor on charging and discharging of space station

To defend the charging phenomenon in a 100 V solar array space station, an equivalent circuit model is employed to simulate the process of charging and discharging which is based on the solution of using a plasma contactor. Influences of the plasma contactor on the process of charging and discharging and the clamping effect changes caused by the station structure parameters are discussed to make a better understanding of the coupling characteristics between the plasma contactor and the space station floating potential. It is showed that the structure floating potential of the space station can be kept at a safe degree in the situation of “rapid charging event” and “normal charging event” as long as the plasma contactor is working. Influences of the solar array conductor area of the space station on plasma contactor clamping effect are obvious while those of the structure conductor area and structure equivalent capacity are negligible.