ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE MITIGATION FOR A FIRST SPACECRAFT OPERATING IN PROXIMITY TO A SECOND SPACECRAFT

• Main Authors: Herbert, Gregg A, Agathon-Burton, Christine A, Llorens, William A, Graham, Ronald Lynn, Michel, Matthew Alan, Cochran, Dewey Edwin
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.10.2018
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.