Space Station Freedom solar array panels plasma interaction test facility
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Authors
Martin, Donald F.
Mellott, Kenneth D.
Subjects
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PLASMA INTERACTIONS
SOLAR ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SPACE PLASMAS
SPACE STATION FREEDOM
SPACE STATION POLAR PLATFORMS
SPACE STATION POWER SUPPLIES
THERMAL VACUUM TESTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
OUTGASSING
PLASMA SHEATHS
POLAR ORBITS
SOLAR SIMULATION
PLASMA INTERACTIONS
SOLAR ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SPACE PLASMAS
SPACE STATION FREEDOM
SPACE STATION POLAR PLATFORMS
SPACE STATION POWER SUPPLIES
THERMAL VACUUM TESTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
OUTGASSING
PLASMA SHEATHS
POLAR ORBITS
SOLAR SIMULATION
Advisors
Date of Issue
1989-01
Date
Jan 01, 1989
Publisher
Language
Abstract
The Space Station Freedom Power System will make extensive use of photovoltaic (PV) power generation. The phase 1 power system consists of two PV power modules each capable of delivering 37.5 KW of conditioned power to the user. Each PV module consists of two solar arrays. Each solar array is made up of two solar blankets. Each solar blanket contains 82 PV panels. The PV power modules provide a 160 V nominal operating voltage. Previous research has shown that there are electrical interactions between a plasma environment and a photovoltaic power source. The interactions take two forms: parasitic current loss (occurs when the currect produced by the PV panel leaves at a high potential point and travels through the plasma to a lower potential point, effectively shorting that portion of the PV panel); and arcing (occurs when the PV panel electrically discharges into the plasma). The PV solar array panel plasma interaction test was conceived to evaluate the effects of these interactions on the Space Station Freedom type PV panels as well as to conduct further research. The test article consists of two active solar array panels in series. Each panel consists of two hundred 8 cm x 8 cm silicon solar cells. The test requirements dictated specifications in the following areas: plasma environment/plasma sheath; outgassing; thermal requirements; solar simulation; and data collection requirements.
Type
Conference Paper
Description
Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference; 31 Oct. - 3 Nov. 1989; Monterey, CA; United States
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Glenn Research Center
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
RTOP 474-46-10
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.