Surface Charging of a Simple Satellite Using Boundary Element Method

This tutorial guides you through an introductory demonstration of Ansys Charge Plus™ electromagnetic charging and discharge simulation software, for simulating the surface charging of a simple satellite model using the boundary element method (BEM). This also demonstrates the validation of previous work and the application of Ansys Charge Plus software to future work. It is recommended that a new user learning Ansys Charge Plus software completes this tutorial before the others in the spacecraft charging course.

You will learn how to define and assign materials using existing library definitions, create a simulation domain, and add plasma environments. You will be introduced to the workflow used to mesh and execute simulations. Finally, you will be introduced to the post-processing capabilities of Ansys Charge Plus software.

Learning Outcomes:

Following completion of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Construct a simple satellite geometry using chassis, solar cells, and supports.
• Assign library-based surface materials for Ansys Charge Plus surface charging simulations.
• Create and configure a simulation domain for BEM surface charging.
• Define and apply plasma environments appropriate for spacecraft charging analysis.
• Configure time varying solar illumination for photoelectric effects.
• Understand the role of the standard surface solver and its accuracy trade-offs.
• Mesh a satellite model and initialize a Ansys Charge Plus BEM simulation.