NASCAP/LEO

Description:

NASCAP/LEO (or LEO for short) is the Low Earth Orbit version of the NASCAP code.  It consists of a family of codes designed to study the electrostatic interaction between a spacecraft having high potential surfaces and a cold dense plasma.  It examines the following;

• Penetration of high voltage into the ambient plasma
• Collection of current by spacecraft surfaces due to high potential of the spacecraft relative to the plasma
• Degradation of solar array performance due to parasitic currents
• Hydro-dynamic flow of spacecraft generated plasma around the spacecraft

LEO features an advanced geometrical model capability while retaining for computational efficiency, a cubic grid structure throughout most of space.  LEO objects are defined as surface models using standard finite element software.  Thus, object geometry is not constrained to the cubic grid structure.

Additional Information:

Language:  FORTRAN 97 (91%), C (9%)

Availability:

• Maintenance/Upgrades:  For most recent versions of this model, contact POC listed below
• Source Code: N/A
• Cost: N/A
• Distribution: N/A
• Manuals: Yes
• Training: No

Input Description:  Spacecraft geometry and orientation, materials, orbit parameters, and plasma environment

Output Format:  Color plots of electrostatic potentials on the surface or in the space around the spacecraft.

Verification / Validation:  Through data collected from flight experiments

Point of Contact:

Barbara Gardner
Program Manager
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
San Diego, CA  92121

Phone:  858-826-1614
EMail:  Barbara.M.Gardner@saic.com

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