Scientific Aims

High-velocity impacts of meteoroids, or dust particles on objects in space generate free atoms, molecules and particulate fragments, most of them in a charged state. The generated charge is detectable by instruments on the spacecraft, and the measured signals can be used to characterize the impacting dust. In the hypervelocity speed range, the generated impact charge is substantial and can significantly alter the spacecraft environment. Dust impacts on spacecraft have been detected by electric antennas for field measurements already since the 1980s starting with the Voyager mission. A number of space missions use or plan on using antenna measurements for characterizing dust populations in new, previously unexplored environments. In this proposal, we bring together a unique team of researchers active in the field to combine space observations with ongoing laboratory and theoretical/numerical studies, in order to reconcile dust observations from previous missions, and to make recommendations for optimal operations for upcoming space missions with dust detection capabilities.