Interactions with space plasma can have strong negative effects on the spacecraft. Indeed, charged particles from the space plasma can induce spacecraft charging or even charging from different parts of the spacecraft.
These charging effects can happen at the surface of a satellite or inside it. It can induce arcing and electrostatic discharges (ESD), which can cause devices dysfunction, modification of the surrounding electrical sheath, impacting scientific instruments and/or active devices.
It is thus necessary to study materials charge and ESD in order to prevent any major damages for the spacecraft.