measurement of high-frequency response of vacuum arcs

What is it about?

We explored the cause of high frequency signals when examining satellites for arcing via a telescope. In order to validate the arcs were the cause of these signals, the arc conditions were recreated in a laboratory setting and measured with an antenna with a similar frequency response range to the original observations.

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Why is it important?

We have shown that another type of arc found on spacecraft has a high-frequency response that is detectable remotely. This opens additional avenues for remote measurement and diagnostics of satellites in flight rather than solely in laboratory settings.