Calibration setup with metrological support for space qualified electric field probe

Abstract

The article shows the results of calculations necessary for testing to approve the space qualified electric field probe used in outer space. A special electric field probe calibration setup was developed and manufactured, which allows testing a space qualified electric field probe in the entire measurement range (from ± 0.1 to ± 200 kV/m) under low (-80 °C) and high (+72 °C) temperatures and at reduced pressure of 1.3 · 10-3 Pa (10-5 torr). Metrological tests of the probes batch, calibrated by the space qualified electric field probe calibrator, performed at the verification equipment under normal conditions, showed that the maximum error of the electric field probe does not exceed 15% in the entire measurements range which will increase the accuracy of determining the satellite surface charging parameters and help in designing modern spacecrafts.