Current-Voltage characteristics of the tethered satellite system: Measurements and uncertainties due to temperature variations

One of the primary goals of the Tethered Satellite System reflight mission (TSS-1R) is to determine the current-voltage characteristics of the TSS satellite orbiting in the ionosphere. While the collected current was measured directly with high reliability, the satellite potential could only be deduced from a circuit model or from interpretation of measurement data below satellite potentials of 500 Volts. The greatest uncertainty in the circuit model is the value of tether resistance R. We have provided quantitative calibration of the resistance based on instrument data for Vs < 100 Volts. We have reached the important conclusion that the R value in the TSS circuit model is correlated to temperature changes associated with the diurnal cycles along the TSS flight path. We have also applied the calibrated R value in the TSS circuit equation to construct the I-V curves that extend to high voltages. The resulting I-V characteristics are presented with error bounds on satellite potential to indicate the uncertainty associated with the tether resistance determination. The I-V relation exhibits different scalings in the high (> 100 Volts) and low (< 10 Volts) voltage regimes, which indicates a fundamental transition for the current collection physics in the ionospheric plasma surrounding the satellite.