Characterization of Rapid Charging Events Due to Sheath Capacitance and Impact on the International Space Station Plasma Hazard Process

Abstract: During an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), if the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) makes galvanic contact with the International Space Station (ISS), a negative Floating Potential (FP) can lead to an arcing hazard when it exceeds -45.5 V, and a positive FP can produce a DC current high enough to stimulate the astronaut’s muscles (5 mA), and also cause a hazard. The Boeing Space Environments team developed and utilizes a Plasma Interaction Model (PIM) in order to calculate the ISS FP based on …