Particle-in-cell simulations of the Cassini spacecraft's interaction with Saturn's ionosphere during the Grand FinaleShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, ISSN 0035-8711, E-ISSN 1365-2966, Vol. 504, no 1, p. 964-973Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
A surprising and unexpected phenomenon observed during Cassini's Grand Finale was the spacecraft charging to positive potentials in Saturn's ionosphere. Here, the ionospheric plasma was depleted of free electrons with negatively charged ions and dust accumulating up to over 95 per cent of the negative charge density. To further understand the spacecraft-plasma interaction, we perform a three-dimensional Particle-In-Cell study of a model Cassini spacecraft immersed in plasma representative of Saturn's ionosphere. The simulations reveal complex interaction features such as electron wings and a highly structured wake containing spacecraft-scale vortices. The results show how a large negative ion concentration combined with a large negative to positive ion mass ratio is able to drive the spacecraft to the observed positive potentials. Despite the high electron depletions, the electron properties are found as a significant controlling factor for the spacecraft potential together with the magnetic field orientation which induces a potential gradient directed across Cassini's asymmetric body. This study reveals the global spacecraft interaction experienced by Cassini during the Grand Finale and how this is influenced by the unexpected negative ion and dust populations.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Oxford University Press (OUP) Oxford University Press, 2021. Vol. 504, no 1, p. 964-973
Keywords [en]
plasmas, space vehicles, planets and satellites: atmospheres, planets and satellites: composition, planets and satellites: individual: Saturn
National Category
Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-447917DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stab750ISI: 000656137100070OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-447917DiVA, id: diva2:1590385
2021-09-022021-09-022024-01-15Bibliographically approved