a. Beam neutralization shall be achieved by design.
NOTE The level of space-charge potential in the beam and the volume of space it occupies depends on the efficiency with which neutralizer electrons penetrate and neutralize the beam itself. Failure to neutralize the beam close to the spacecraft may result in increased contamination from charge exchange ions produced in the beam and increased beam divergence leading to some loss of thrust.
b. The efficiency of the neutralization shall be assessed through plasma simulation or testing.
c. The electrostatic perturbation resulting from the assessment specified in 11.2.2b shall be within a level agreed with the customer.