TOMSK, Oct 15 – RIA Tomsk. Researchers of
Institute of High Current Electronics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS (IHCE
SB RAS) developed hardware complex for diagnosing on-board radio-electronic
equipment of spacecraft; the second phase to be carried out with chemists of
Tomsk State University (TSU), the press service of Tomsk Scientific Center of
SB RAS reports on Tuesday.
It is noted that the project started seven
years ago, when the problem of high risks of the formation of an electric arc
in space conditions that could cause significant damage to the spacecraft or
even disable it was first voiced. It was fundamentally important not only to
understand the causes of this phenomenon, but also to learn how to cope with
the appearance of such an arc.
"Now the on-board voltages reach 100
volts, which is three times higher than the arcing threshold. An increase in
the voltage of the on-board network sharply increases the risk of ignition of
the vacuum arc. Now the average satellite life is seven to eight years, for
greater efficiency it should be extended to 15 years", - the head of the IHCE Laboratory of Vacuum
Electronics Alexander Batrakov is quoted.
As a result of the work of a group of
scientists, a special vacuum chamber was launched at the Tomsk scientific and
production center "Polyus", inside which, using flaw detection
equipment, parts of the equipment for the future spacecraft are diagnosed for
defects that are responsible for the formation of a vacuum arc, the message
explains.
© РИА Томск. Елена Зеневич
It is noted that the available research
results will help increase the life of Russian spacecraft. However, scientists
continue to improve methods. The works is carried out in cooperation with
chemists from TSU, the purpose of which is to develop a technology that allows
not only to detect, but also to eliminate defects in a single technological
cycle.
"Their result may be the creation and
launch of a workplace in the interests of enterprises of the space and defense
industries, where, if a marriage is found, there is no need to interrupt the
technological cycle, elimination will occur immediately by applying a special
polymer coating created in a plasma and reaction gas stream", - is
emphasized in the message.