Abstract: The present invention provides a charge monitor for satellites for monitoring build up of electric charge due to charge particle fluxes impinging on the satellite. In one aspect of the invention the charge monitor includes an electrically conducting housing including at least two compartments with each compartment including a dielectric slab contained therein. An electrically conducting electrode is embedded in each dielectric slab a pre-selected distance below a top surface of the dielectric slab, the housing being mountable on a satellite with the top surface of the dielectric slab facing outwardly into space away from the satellite whereby charged particles emitted from sources external to the satellite penetrate the dielectric slab resulting in charge accumulation in each electrically conducting electrode, each electrically conducting electrode being electrically isolated from all other electrically conducting electrodes in the electrically conducting housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charge monitor for satellites for monitoring build up of electric charge due to charge particle fluxes impinging on the satellite. In one aspect of the invention the charge monitor includes an electrically conducting housing including at least two compartments with each compartment including a dielectric slab contained therein. An electrically conducting electrode is embedded in each dielectric slab a pre-selected distance below a top surface of the dielectric slab, the housing being mountable on a satellite with the top surface of the dielectric slab facing outwardly into space away from the satellite whereby charged particles emitted from sources external to the satellite penetrate the dielectric slab resulting in charge accumulation in each electrically conducting electrode, each electrically conducting electrode being electrically isolated from all other electrically conducting electrodes in the electrically conducting housing.