In space, there’s no such thing as a harmless spark. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is one of the leading causes of spacecraft anomalies—responsible for nearly half of all space environment-related mission issues. And yet, too many projects still treat it as an afterthought.
At Ozen Engineering, we recently hosted a webinar diving deep into the science and solutions for spacecraft charging and ESD risk mitigation. Whether you're designing for LEO, GEO, lunar orbit, or beyond, understanding how materials interact with plasma, radiation, and solar particles is essential.
Electric field evolution during arcing: As charge builds up, the glass begins to carbonize, forming a conductive path that dissipates the electric field. Arcing progression is tracked through changes in conductivity or field collapse.
Why You Should Care About Spacecraft Charging
One real-world example: The ADEOS-II satellite suffered catastrophic failures after an arc occurred on its solar panels—costing over $560 million. This is just one example of how unpredictable plasma environments can cripple critical space systems. These kinds of failures highlight the importance of simulating charging and discharge events early in the design cycle, when issues are still fixable.
Simulation as a Design Superpower
Traditional testing alone can’t fully replicate the harsh and variable conditions of space. Our webinar highlights how Ansys Charge Plus and EMC Plus allow engineers to:
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Predict surface and internal charging in any orbit
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Analyze risk in detailed 3D models using real mission data
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Select materials and coatings to prevent ESD
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Meet NASA and ESA compliance standards more efficiently
These advanced tools let teams validate shielding, assess discharge scenarios, and even explore radiation hardening—all before a single prototype is built.
What You’ll Learn in the Webinar
In the session, we break down the science behind space charging and show how advanced simulation workflows can mitigate those risks. Key topics include:
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Dielectric Breakdown in Solar Cells
Learn how charge buildup across solar panel materials can lead to internal arcing, carbonization, and irreversible damage—and how to model and prevent it. -
Internal Charging in Bulk Materials & Cables
See how high-energy particles penetrate deep into dielectric layers, and how Charge Plus helps assess discharge risks and material failure points. -
Radiation Hardening Through 3D Simulation
Explore how integrated particle transport and ray-tracing simulations track cumulative radiation dose, helping you optimize shielding without unnecessary mass. -
Surface Charging Across Orbits
Understand how different environments (LEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary) create unique charging profiles—and how to simulate them using real orbital mission data. -
Material and Coating Selection for Mitigation
Even small design choices—like adhesives, stickers, or Kapton variants—can drastically impact charge dissipation and ESD risk. -
Compliance and Standards Support
We show how simulation helps teams meet strict requirements from NASA, ESA, and others—faster and with fewer design iterations.
See How Simulation Can Strengthen Your Design Process
Understanding and mitigating spacecraft charging and ESD risks early in development can make a significant difference in performance, reliability, and cost. This webinar offers practical insights into how simulation tools like Ansys Charge Plus and EMC Plus can support better material choices, more robust designs, and easier compliance with industry standards.
👉 Watch the full on-demand webinar here
Whether you're working on your first small satellite or managing complex systems for a government mission, this session will give you useful tools and strategies to design with greater confidence.