Electrostatic charging of an insulated metal body in plasma flow.

The possibility of electrostatic charging of an electrically insulated metal body in plasma flow has been studied. Conditions for the appearance of a positive electric charge on the body surface are formulated in terms of plasma parameters and flow velocity. Estimates of the amount of charge, electric potential, and electric field strength of a metal sphere are obtained for an equilibrium state of charge/discharge currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]