Plasma Wave Observations During Electron Beam Experiments at High Altitudes

Electron beam experiments on the nearly geosynchronous P78-2 satellite conducted in 1979 resulted in observations of intense radiation near the local electron gyrofrequency. These signals resembled naturally occurring fce waves during the same period. The amplitude of the stimulated waves depended upon beam parameters. During 50-eV beam operations, current levels of 10/xA produced strong emissions. Current levels of 1 /xA and 100/xA did not. These emissions correspond in time to previously reported observations of electron distributions which suggest heating of the local thermal plasma. Sufficient power is in the observed emissions to explain some aspects of the heated electron distributions observed during the experiments.This report was submitted by The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA 90245, under Contract No. F04701-88-C-0089 with the Space Systems Division, P.O. Box 92960, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2960