Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – With shield or other protective means
Reexamination Certificate
2008-01-23
2009-12-29
Mansen, Michael R (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
With shield or other protective means
Reexamination Certificate
active
07637461
ABSTRACT:
A method whereby one or more conducting plates electrically-biased negatively with respect to a spacecraft's electrical potential and insulated from the spacecraft surface are located around the spacecraft surface whereby contaminant ions in a plasma surrounding the spacecraft are attracted to and accelerated through the conducting plates electric potential, caused to collide with the conductive surface, neutralized through collisions with surface atoms, and then reflected away from the spacecraft as neutral atoms or molecules.
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Hagstrum, H. D., “Reflection of Noble Gas Ions at Solid Surfaces,” Phy. Rev. vol. 123, No. 3, Aug. 1, 1961.
Callahan Kenneth E.
Mansen Michael R
Sanderson Joseph W
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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