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Plasma-ISS: Examination of Plasmic Environments on the External Surface of ISS Through the Characterization of Optical Radiance (Plasma-MKS)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by V. I. Lukyaschenko, Ph.D., and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

Plasma-MKS (Plasma-ISS) examines the effects of plasma on ISS systems with dosimeters.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • V. I. Lukyaschenko, Ph.D.

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)
    Information Pending

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Information Pending

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    April 2005 - March 2010

    Expeditions Assigned

    11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19/20,21/22

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    Information Pending

    Description

    Verification of available discharge current processes on the ISS predicted theoretically.

    Detection of dependence of current process intensity in plasma environment of the station upon the ISS configuration, its in-orbit position, operation of external onboard systems and seasonal change in outer space environment by optical radiation characteristics.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Information Pending

    Earth Applications

    Information Pending

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    UV chamber, spectrometer, videocamera, set of interference filters.

    Operational Protocols

    Verify physical model simulating interaction of plasma sheath with oppositely charged ISS structural members, as well as different types of the ISS RS external coatings. Study space factor impact (geomagnetic field, solar radiation, incoming ionosphere, flows of auroral particles and shocks of micrometeoroids) on initiation, intensity and duration of electric discharge processes.

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    Results/More Information

    Electric discharges passing through the ISS plasma environment and caused by high-voltage potential of the USOS solar arrays can produce effects on electric potential of the station body and make changes in operating conditions of electronic equipment placed externally, as well as affect safety of cosmonauts? activities during EVA. This experiment will enable to update the physical model of the ISS plasma environment, adjust operating conditions of hardware, predict unfavorable periods for EVA, as well as make an assessment of a potential negative effect of arising currents on the integrity of the ISS separate structural members.

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    Related Websites
  • Coordinating Scientific and Technical Council of the Russian Space Agency [Russian]
  • Energia - Science Research on the ISS Russian Segment

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    Imagery

    image
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    image NASA Image: ISS015E08338: View of an Expedition 15 crewmember holding hardware used in the Plasma-MKS (Plasma-ISS) experiment near the LAB1P3 rack in the U.S. Laboratory/Destiny.
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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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