Micrometeorid impacts on silver bus bar targets at elevated voltages.

Micrometeoroid impacts on silver bus bars at elevated positive voltages were performed for different particle sizes. For small particles (smaller than 10 mym) the possibility of short circuit generation increases with the applied voltage, however without spectacular arc discharges and burning. Arc discharges with durations between 100 mysec and sec are eventually triggered by 350 mym particle impacts. A clear correlation between short circuits and arc discharges could not be identified yet. The role of the impact plasma in the process of short circuit generation is discussed.