SAMPIE measurements of area effects on the electron current collection by standard silicon solar arrays

Summary form only given, as follows. SAMPIE, the Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment, flew successfully in the payload bay of STS-62 in March of 1994. Three concentric solar arrays of standard 2/spl times/2 cm silicon cells were biased individually and together to voltages as high as +300 V to look for area effects on the currents collected by the inner array. The intent was to be able to determine how current collection measurements made by a small array in space can be extrapolated to cells near the center of large solar arrays. The data will be shown for conditions of flight both into the ram flow and perpendicular to it. Predictions of the NASCAP/LEO code for the area effects will be compared with the flight data. Conclusions about the applicability of small-array current measurements to extrapolations for large solar arrays will be presented and recommendations will be made.