A plasma contactor changes the electrically insulating vacuum into a conductor by providing movable electrons and positive gas ions.
This conductive path closes a phantom loop circuit to discharge or neutralize the static electricity that can build up on a spacecraft.
Static electricity may also build up on a spacecraft as a result of space radiation, including sunlight, depending on the materials used on the surfaces of the spacecraft.
A plasma contactor is mounted on the Z1 segment of the International Space Station Integrated Truss Structure.
This spacecraft or satellite related article is a stub.