Title :
The design and performance of the Hughes HS-39C satellite solar arrays featuring large area solar cells
Author :
Fodor, Jav S. ; Gelb, S.W. ; Goldhammer, Leland J. ; Moffett, David W.
Author_Institution :
Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, CA, USA
Abstract :
The successful construction of the Hughes HS-393C solar arrays has demonstrated that large-area silicon solar cells are a viable design option for large space solar panels. The solar arrays used on the HS-393C satellite consist of two cylindrical solar panels. Each panel is approximately 12 ft in diameter and over 9 ft tall. The total array power is 1800 W at summer solstice after ten years in geosynchronous orbit. HS-393C is the first commercial satellite to utilize large-area (>6-cm×6-cm) silicon solar cells as the primary power source. These cells offer a significant cost advantage over more conventionally sized solar cells (<2×6 cm). Analysis after one year in orbit on the first HS-393C indicates that the arrays manufactured from these large-area cells are performing better than expected
Keywords :
artificial satellites; elemental semiconductors; silicon; solar cell arrays; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; 1.8 kW; 12 ft; 9 ft; Hughes HS-39C satellite; Si; arrays; cost; design; geosynchronous orbit; panels; performance; solar cells; space power; Aircraft manufacture; Batteries; Cables; Connectors; Costs; Fabrication; Manufacturing; Photovoltaic cells; Satellites; Switches;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1990., Conference Record of the Twenty First IEEE
Conference_Location :
Kissimmee, FL
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1990.111803
