Title :
Differential charging control on solar arrays for geosynchronous spacecraft
Author :
Bogorad, A. ; Bowman, Casady ; Herschitz, Roman ; Krummann, W. ; Hart, W.
Author_Institution :
Martin Marietta Astro Space, Princeton, NJ, USA
fDate :
12/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
At geosynchronous altitudes, electrostatic discharges on solar arrays are a suspected cause of operational problems on spacecraft. An environmentally stable, conductive solar-cell coating eliminates discharges without introducing the significant power loss associated with previous conductive coatings. The coating has two layers: an inner conducting layer with significantly reduced thickness (to reduce power absorption), and an outer MgF2 antireflective layer that protects the conducting layer against environmental degradation
Keywords :
antireflection coatings; artificial satellites; electrostatic discharge; solar cell arrays; space vehicle power plants; spacecraft charging; differential charging control; electrostatic discharges; geosynchronous spacecraft; inner conducting layer; outer MgF2 antireflective layer; solar arrays; solar-cell coating; Coatings; Degradation; Electrons; Electrostatic discharge; Indium tin oxide; Photovoltaic cells; Space vehicles; Stacking; Surface discharges; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on