Fundamentals of Spacecraft Charging: Spacecraft Interactions with Space Plasmas

"Lai's compendium of surface and dielectric spacecraft charging ranges from the basic causes and controlling factors to the effects of secondary electron emission, and the formation of space charge potential wells and barriers. He considers the effects of charged particle beam emission from spacecraft, and the use of plasma sources as 'contactors' to limit charging. Finally, he shows the consequences, from discharges owing to differential charging, to resulting operational anomalies, and offers a suite of effective mitigation techniques."--Thomas E. Moore, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center

"This book is by far and away the most comprehensive reference on the physics of spacecraft charging, which can be destructive for a spacecraft. The text is clear and straightforward and explores all the myriad facets of this phenomenon. I will use it in my teaching."--Daniel E. Hastings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology