Electrostatic discharges & spacecraft anomalies

Electrostatics is one of major concerns of spacecraft technology. Space is filled with hot and low-density plasma building up high differential voltages resulting in electrostatic discharges, sometimes causing an anomalous behavior of spacecraft electronics. Typical anomalies will be reviewed, it will be shown how they can be recognized as consequences of environmental induced discharges. The distribution of charges over different parts of the spacecraft is depending of ambient conditions: plasma temperature and density and sun illumination. Surface and internal charging are possible; they result in dielectric or metal arcing discharges. Understanding of charging phenomena allows us to define mitigation techniques by controlling charging, electromagnetic interference propagation and electronics immunity.