Module plasmoid 

Plasmoid perturbation analysis for SOLAR LINE.

Models the trajectory perturbation from a plasmoid encounter in the Uranus magnetosphere (EP04). Distinguishes between:

• Radiation effect (biological): modeled elsewhere (EP04 report)
• Momentum effect (trajectory): modeled here

Based on DiBraccio & Gershman (2019) Voyager 2 observations:

• Plasmoid dimensions: ~200,000 km × 400,000 km
• Composition: primarily ionized hydrogen
• Mass loss rate: ~0.007 kg/s (implies low density)
• Magnetic field: closed loop topology

Key physics:

• Ram pressure: P_ram = 0.5 × ρ × v²
• Magnetic pressure: P_mag = B² / (2μ₀)
• Force on ship: F = P × A_cross (cross-sectional area)
• Impulse: J = F × Δt (transit duration)
• Velocity change: Δv = J / m_ship

Structs

PlasmoidPerturbation

Results of a plasmoid perturbation analysis.

Constants

MU_0 🔒

Permeability of free space (H/m = kg⋅m/A²/s²)

PROTON_MASS_KG 🔒

Proton mass (kg) for hydrogen plasma density calculations

Functions

correction_dv_m_s

Course-correction ΔV needed to compensate for a perturbation.

magnetic_pressure_pa

Magnetic pressure (Pa) from a magnetic field.

miss_distance_from_perturbation_km

Miss distance from a velocity perturbation over remaining travel time.

number_density_to_mass

Plasma number density to mass density conversion.

plasmoid_force_n

Force on spacecraft from combined magnetic and ram pressure.

plasmoid_perturbation

Full plasmoid perturbation analysis.

ram_pressure_pa

Ram pressure (Pa) from bulk plasma flow.

uranus_plasmoid_scenarios

Parameter scenarios for Uranus plasmoid analysis.

velocity_perturbation_m_s

Velocity perturbation from plasmoid encounter.