Title :
Accomplishments and objectives of the Stretched Lens Array Technology Experiment (SLATE)
Author :
Brandhorst, Henry W., Jr. ; Best, Steven R. ; Rodiek, Julie A. ; Crumpler, Michael S. ; O´Neill, M.J. ; Lewis, Harlan ; McDermott, Pat
Author_Institution :
Space Res. Inst., Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL, USA
Abstract :
This study presents the design and fabrication of the Stretched Lens Array Technology Experiment (SLATE). SLATE is a radiation-hardened solar array flight experiment to be flown in the Van Allen radiation belts and provide flight validation for the Stretched Lens Array (SLA). TacSat 4 is due to be launched in September, 2009 into a high radiation orbit (700 km × 12,050 km, 63.4°). This orbit will provide valuable solar cell degradation information along with proving flight validation for the Stretched Lens Array. In addition, a photovoltaic curve tracer Data Acquisition System (DAS) prototype was designed and built using a new flexible architecture. This project is part of Phase II of a MDA STTR project entitled, ¿Radiation-Hardened Stretched Lens Array,¿ with Entech Solar, Inc.
Keywords :
aerospace instrumentation; data acquisition; lenses; optical arrays; radiation belts; radiation hardening (electronics); solar cell arrays; SLATE; Van Allen radiation belts; photovoltaic curve tracer Data Acquisition System; radiation-hardened solar array flight experiment; solar cell degradation; stretched lens array technology experiment; Belts; Data acquisition; Degradation; Fabrication; Lenses; Optical design; Phased arrays; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Solar power generation;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2009 34th IEEE
Conference_Location :
Philadelphia, PA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2949-3
Electronic_ISBN :
0160-8371
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.2009.5411300
