Commercial Applications

Spacecraft charging can erode or contaminate spacecraft surfaces, destroy or degrade electronics, lower the efficiency of ion propulsion, bias scientific measurements and can present a shock hazard to astronauts during EVA's.

The Spacecraft Charge Monitor (SCM) is the first lightweight, inexpensive, accurate, and easily deployed device designed to measure spacecraft charge in orbit around the Earth, other planers and in solar winds.

The SCM Model I is available for flight now. Combined with a device to reduce charge or used alone to monitor charge, the SCM is a smart addition to almost any spacecraft.

Part 5: Potential Applications of the NASA paper has more details about commercial applications.