Grounding Rod
A grounding rod, also known as an earth rod, is a long metal rod that is driven into the ground to provide a safe path for electrical current to flow in the event of a fault in an electrical system. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, grounding rods are used to protect spacecraft and launch vehicles from lightning strikes and other electrical discharges that can occur during launch and while in orbit. The grounding rod is typically connected to the spacecraft or launch vehicle through a conductive cable, which provides a low-resistance path for the electrical current to flow into the ground. Grounding rods are an important safety feature in space and astronautical engineering, as they help to prevent damage to critical systems and components from electrical surges and other hazards.
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