Simulation of Physical Phenomena in the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere of the Earth on Krot Plasma Device. Some Results and Prospects

Abstract

Krot device is a unique installation of the scientific infrastructure of the Russian Federation. It is a source of highly uniform low-temperature plasma that takes up to several tens of cubic meters. The setup makes it possible to perform both scaling laboratory simulations of ionospheric and magnetospheric phenomena in the approximation of unbound plasma, as well as plasma tests of full-size samples of the onboard equipment of spacecraft (SC). The simulation results of the dynamics and interaction of small-scale thermal plasma irregularities occurring during ionospheric heating experiments are presented. The impedance of the small-size models of RESONANCE and STRANNIK SC electric antennas in plasma is measured. The possible use of free-space calibration of antennas in the magnetospheric portions of the orbit in the ELF and VLF ranges is confirmed. The efficiency of a new plasma parameters resonance sensor for the TRABANT SC in the ionospheric range of electron densities is shown.