A possible explanation of the electron temperature enhancement in the wake of a satellite

Abstract
A numerical simulation was performed in an attempt to explain the enhancement of electron temperature in the wake of an ionospheric satellite in terms of counterstreaming plasma expansions. The simulation was conducted using full kinetic treatments (Vlasov‐Poisson code) for both the plasma electrons and ions. The calculations indicate that at a distance of a few Debye lengths from the surface of the body the ratio [Te(wake)/Te(ambient)] reaches a value of ∼2. This result is in good agreement with some in situ and laboratory experimental results.