Characterization testing of MEASAT GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies
The first commercial communications satellite with gallium-arsenide on germanium (GaAs/Ge) solar arrays is scheduled for launch in December 1995. The spacecraft, named MEASAT, was built by Hughes Space and Telecommunications company for Binariang Satellite Systems of Malaysia. The solar cell assemblies consisted of large area GaAs/Ge cells supplied by Spectrolab Inc. with infrared reflecting (IRR) coverglass supplied by Pilkington Space Technology. A comprehensive characterization program was performed on the GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies used on the MEASAT array. This program served two functions; first to establish the database needed to accurately predict on-orbit performance under a variety of conditions; and second, to demonstrate the ability of the solar cell assemblies to withstand all mission environments while still providing the required power at end-of-life. Characterization testing included measurement of electrical performance parameters as a function of radiation exposure, temperature, and angle of incident light; reverse bias stability; optical and thermal properties; mechanical strength tests, panel fabrication, humidity and thermal cycling environmental tests. The results provided a complete database enabling the design of the MEASAT solar array, and demonstrated that the GaAs/Ge cells meet the spacecraft requirements at end-of-life.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (United States). Lewis Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 177669
- Report Number(s):
- N--96-15042; NASA-CP--10180; NAS--1.55:10180; E--9943; NIPS--95-05337; CONF-9510288--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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