Perturbation of an electrostatic probe by a spacecraft at small speed ratios

The disturbance of an electrostatic probe, by the spacecraft carrying it, in the intermediate altitude regime from about 3000 km to the plasmapause, is discussed. Three kinds of disturbance are studied: loss of symmetry of the probe sheath due to the presence of the spacecraft; creation of potential barriers around the probe; and particle removal, or shadowing, by the spacecraft. The first of these effects is shown to be nonexistent for a spherical probe if it is operated under orbit-limited conditions. Methods are given for estimating the magnitudes of the other two effects in any given situation. The electrostatic probe experiment on the Explorer 31 spacecraft is discussed as an example.