Unlimited power for our space vehicles

Chidester, L G

Title: Unlimited power for our space vehicles

Full Record
Other Related Research

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar arrays which derive their energy from the sun and provide the electrical power needed on long life space vehicles are examined. Present spacecraft solar arrays provide in the range of 1-5 kW; however, lightweight flexible arrays with reduced cost and increased performance are being developed to provide serveral hundred kilowatts of power. The state of the art of solar cell technology, Lockheed's development efforts on new solar arrays, and the upcoming NASA Solar Array Flight Experiment are described. The experiment package includes a huge 4 x 32 m flexible solar array, a structure and mechanism for moving it out of the shuttle cargo bay, and a complete data acquisition system to record operational data during ascent and on-orbit operations. Space Shuttle applications and three array concepts, developed for space power sources in the 300 kW to 1 MW range, are considered. Examples of cost and efficiency improvements being worked on include: transparent arrays, multi-bandgap solar cells, thin-film solar cells, and improved concentrator systems. Photos of the presently used solar arrays and drawings of the array concepts are presented.

Authors:: Chidester, L G

Publication Date:: Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

Research Org.:: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, CA

OSTI Identifier:: 5574083

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: Space Sol. Power Rev.; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 4

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 14 SOLAR ENERGY; SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES; SOLAR CELL ARRAYS; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; GALLIUM ARSENIDES; PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS; SILICON; SOLAR CELLS; SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION; SPACE SHUTTLES; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; AIRCRAFT; ARSENIC COMPOUNDS; ARSENIDES; CONVERSION; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; ELEMENTS; ENERGY CONVERSION; EQUIPMENT; GALLIUM COMPOUNDS; PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PNICTIDES; POWER SUPPLIES; SEMIMETALS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; SPACE VEHICLES; VEHICLES; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems; 140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems

Citation Formats


                    Chidester, L G. Unlimited power for our space vehicles.  United States: N. p., 1983. 
        Web.

Copy to clipboard


                    Chidester, L G. Unlimited power for our space vehicles.  United States.

Copy to clipboard


                    Chidester, L G. 1983.  
        "Unlimited power for our space vehicles".  United States.

Copy to clipboard


                    
@article{osti_5574083,

  title        = {Unlimited power for our space vehicles},

  author       = {Chidester, L G},

  abstractNote = {Photovoltaic solar arrays which derive their energy from the sun and provide the electrical power needed on long life space vehicles are examined. Present spacecraft solar arrays provide in the range of 1-5 kW; however, lightweight flexible arrays with reduced cost and increased performance are being developed to provide serveral hundred kilowatts of power. The state of the art of solar cell technology, Lockheed's development efforts on new solar arrays, and the upcoming NASA Solar Array Flight Experiment are described. The experiment package includes a huge 4 x 32 m flexible solar array, a structure and mechanism for moving it out of the shuttle cargo bay, and a complete data acquisition system to record operational data during ascent and on-orbit operations. Space Shuttle applications and three array concepts, developed for space power sources in the 300 kW to 1 MW range, are considered. Examples of cost and efficiency improvements being worked on include: transparent arrays, multi-bandgap solar cells, thin-film solar cells, and improved concentrator systems. Photos of the presently used solar arrays and drawings of the array concepts are presented.},

  doi          = {},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5574083},
  journal      = {Space Sol. Power Rev.; (United States)},
number       = ,

  volume       = 4,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983},

  month        = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983}

}

Copy to clipboard

Journal Article:

Other availability

Find in Google Scholar

Search WorldCat to find libraries that may hold this journal

Save / Share:

Export Metadata

Save to My Library

Similar records in OSTI.GOV collections:

Photovoltaic solar arrays - Unlimited power for our space vehicles

Journal Article Chidester, L - Lockheed Horiz.; (United States)

Solar cell technology is reviewed with reference to the high-efficiency cells, ultra-thin cells, GaAs cells and wrap-around cells. Performance characteristics are presented noting the advantages of GaAs cells over silicon cells. A number of solar array configurations are illustrated including large flexible arrays and curved graphite panels. Attention is given to the NASA Solar Electric Propulsion Stage program which would use ion engines to propel spacecraft in interplanetary missions. Applications of solar cell technology to the Space Shuttle program are discussed, including the Power Extension Package, lightweight arrays and solar energy concentrators.
EOS AM-1 GaAs/Ge flexible blanket solar array

Conference Herriage, M; Kurland, R; Faust, C; ...

The Earth Observing System (EOS) AM-1 solar array will be the first operational flexible blanket array to use gallium arsenide on germanium (GaAs/Ge) solar cells. It will be one of the first arrays of any kind to use thin GaAs/Ge solar cells and to produce power at high voltage. The array thereby represents a significant advance in spacecraft array technology. This paper describes the progress made and the problems encountered since Kimber et al (1993) reported on the tradeoffs that led to the array`s configuration. The EOS AM-1 spacecraft, due to launch in 1998, is the first in a seriesmore »« less
Performance testing of the 5 kW EOS AM-1 flexible solar array blanket

Conference Schurig, H; Kruer, M; Levesque, M; ...

A GaAs/Ge flexible solar array blanket has been developed for use on the NASA/GSFC remote sensing EOS AM-1 spacecraft. This single wing array has been designed to provide a 5 kW of power after five years in a low earth polar orbit. The blanket configuration includes design features such as thin GaAs/Ge cell stacks mounted on a large flexible, hinged substrate, parallel connected solar cell strings providing high voltage output, a printed circuit harness, and a multi-layer jumper bus providing electrical continuity between the cell strings and the printed circuit harness. This work was contracted to TRW Space and Electronicsmore »« less
Flexible rolled-up solar array. Final technical report, 1 Jul 1968--31 May 1972. [1. 5 kW]

Technical Report Felkel, E; Wolff, G

This report summarizes the design, development, qualification, and flight test of a 1.5-kW flexible rolled-up solar array power system. This system was launched on a thrust augmented Thor/Agena vehicle system into a 400 nm polar orbit on 17 October 1971, has successfully completed a 6 month flight test, and continues to provide spacecraft power. The criteria, design tradeoffs, and analyses that led to the configuration of the 5.5-by 32-foot solar array, the two axis sun acquisition and tracking orientation mechanism, and the associated power electronics and instrumentation units are described. The results of development, qualification, and flight test are presented,more »« less
Space station freedom solar array design development

Conference Winslow, C; Bilger, K; Baraona, C

The Space Station Freedom Solar Array Program is required to provide a 75 kW power module that uses eight solar array (SA) wings over a four-year period in low Earth orbit (LEO). Each wing will be capable of providing 23.4 kW at the 4-year design point. Lockheed Missles and Space Company, Inc. (LMSC) is providing the flexible substrate SAs that must survive exposure to the space environment, including atomic oxygen, for an operating life of fifteen years. Trade studies and development testing, important for evolving any design to maturity, are presently underway at LMSC on the flexible solar array. Themore »« less

Similar Records