Spectral Characteristics of GEO Satellite Arcing – 300 To 350 MHz

Abstract In a series of previous papers, the detection arcing on GPS, Van Allen Probe, and GEO satellites with Arecibo Observatory Wm. E. Gordon 305 m radiotelescope has been reported elaborated. this paper, characteristics radiofrequency spectra two true are as they were measured Mock spectrometer every 9.6 microseconds, contrasted impulsive RFI (RadioFrequency Interference) events. It is shown that arc in 300–350 MHz range not continuous, but consist number narrow spectral lines. These lines consistent within duration single arcs, change between so when averaged over many appearance continuous spectrum approximated. This behavior replicated laboratory charging-induced vacuum small solar array samples. contrast, (including, limited to lightning strokes) essentially random from one microsecond sampling interval next. Since changes little throughout samples, it cannot be due risetime current, which much less than interval. Furthermore, experiments done at very high time resolution (< 1 ns), there correlation current spectra, indicating even fluctuations each can have do UHF observed.