Laboratory model of a Tethered Satellite: Current collection upon and sheath formation around a charged body in a drifting magnetoplasma

Abstract The I–V characteristic and the sheath of a Tethered Satellite laboratory model are investigated in a simulated ionospheric plasma environment with particular emphasis on magnetic field effects. The current collection in the ion regime can be described by a power law: I∝V 0.85 and no magnetic field effect is observed. Strong magnetic field effects are observed in the electron current collection regime which cannot be described by a single power law. In the presence of a magnetic field transverse to the plasma flow, the wake of a highly positively charged body is found sideways the body rather than downstream.