Emitter of Accelerated Neutral Atoms and Molecules with Ion-Electron Conversion for Terrestrial Testing And Modelling of Spacecraft

The article discusses the issues of modeling and laboratory testing of a low-orbit spacecraft flight in the ambient residual gas environment. To create conditions in a vacuum test facility for terrestrial study of spacecraft, close to those of flight, was developed an emitter of a radiating flow of fast neutral atoms and molecules with Ion-Electron conversion. The emitter device based on I) corona discharge in atmospheric air or special prepared gas at the first-time stage, and II) ion acceleration at the second time stage, and III) ion resonant recharging in the own gas at the third time stage. This module is supposed to be combined in the form of a complex with a large-volume vacuum chamber, with the help of which ground testing and modelling of spacecraft are carried out.