Review of biased solar array. Plasma interaction studies

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5688656

Stevens, N J

The Solar Electric Propulsion System (SEPS) is proposed for a variety of space missions. Power for operating SEPS is obtained from large solar array wings capable of generating tens of kilowatts of power. To minimize resistive losses in the solar array bus lines, the array is designed to operate at voltages up to 400 volts. This use of high voltage can increase interactions between the biased solar cell interconnects and plasma environments. With thrusters operating, the system ground is maintained at space plasma potential which exposes large areas of the arrays at the operating voltages. This can increase interactions with both the natural and enhanced charged particle environments. Available data on interactions between biased solar array surfaces and plasma environments are summarized. The apparent relationship between collection phenomena and solar cell size and effects of array size on interactions are discussed. The impact of these interactions on SEPS performance is presented.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5688656
• Report Number(s): NASA-TM-82693
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
INTERACTIONS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
PROPULSION
SIZE
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT