Solar arrays testing for space applications

Solar arrays are the power source for the majority of space missions. They are the reason for many anomalies and failures in the electrical power subsystem, because they have to operate in a very harsh environmental condition. Undergoing to such sever conditions for generally long space mission life times is capable of degrading or damaging almost any parts of the solar arrays. Therefore it is quite necessary to do the qualification tests on the space solar cells and panels as much as complete and accurate as possible. Various standards have been developed by different space organizations in order to improve the level of quality of solar arrays and to assure the consumers about the reliability of these expensive products. In this paper some of the standards and procedures developed by ISO, AIAA, NASA and ECSS are discussed according to their methods and requirements.