Spectroscopic consequences of Papadopoulos' discharge model of spacecraft ram glows

The gaseous and surface impact‐excited ultraviolet, visible, and infrared emissions that would result from plasma interactions near the windward directed surfaces of satellites orbiting in the earth's F region are reviewed. No process in the electrical discharge that would produce the intense orange‐red component of the glows seen on space shuttle and Atmospheric Explorer vehicles is identified. Spectroscopic and spatial‐distribution measurements to determine the contribution to the excitation of the collisionlessly energized suprathermal electrons and ions are suggested.