Kinetic Investigation of Simulated Magnetosheath Electron Trajectories and Spacecraft Potential Accumulation RisK

"Satellites in space are subjected to charged particles in the ambient environment. Specifically, the fast-moving electrons of the space plasma can rapidly accumulate on satellite surfaces. These surfaces may then suddenly discharge in electrical arcs that damage the onboard electronics, which may even result in total loss of the spacecraft. The project KISMET-SPARK will be the first dedicated study of surface charging during rare but impactful events known as ""Geosynchronous Magnetopause Crossings"" (GMCs). During a GMC, the solar wind compresses the Earth's magnetic field. This ends up placing satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) within a region known as the magnetosheath, where the ambient electron fluxes and resulting surface charging can be intense.In KISMET-SPARK, the Applicant Konstantinos Horaites will address the kinetic physics of electrons in Earth's magnetosheath and their space weather impacts. In two Work Packages, he will 1) describe the processes that shape the energized ""flat-top"" electron velocity distribution (eVDF), and 2) evaluate how these electrons contribute to the costly GEO satellite failures that are correlated with GMCs. The project will be supervised by Daniel Verscharen, who is an Associate Professor at the Host institution, the University of College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory. The Applicant will simulate the magnetosheath environment using state-of-the-art kinetic ""eVlasiator"" simulations of Earth's magnetosheath. He will employ the Supervisor's ""ALPS"" code to assess the kinetic stability of the eVDF, which will explain the origin of the flat-top population. This project will combine the Applicant's experience with simulations together with the Supervisor's knowledge of space-plasma instabilities, to answer long-standing questions about the magnetosheath eVDF's origins and impacts. The project results will be communicated to the scientific community, industry stakeholders, and the general public."