Low-Thrust Geostationary Transfer Orbit (LT2GEO) Radiation Environment and Associated Solar Array Degradation Modeling and Ground Testing

Low-thrust geostationary transfer orbits (LT2GEO) are found to offer significant low cost options thus making them very attractive for GEO missions. However, LT2GEOs increase the transfer orbit time from days to months, thereby causing a significant increase in the time that satellites traverse the most intense trapped particle radiation belts. This paper describes the LT2GEO radiation environment and provides some practical implications using new solar cell technologies and materials. New solar cell and coverglass testing protocols are established using Monte Carlo transport modeling and experimental results are given for Qioptiq CMG borosilicate coverglass.