Environmentally-induced discharges on solar arrays in geosynchronous orbit

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

OSTI ID:7130847

Stevens, N J; Jones, M R ^[1]

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1. TRW, Redondo Beach, CA (United States). Space Technology Division

An analysis into the conditions necessary for environmentally-induced inverted voltage gradient discharges in geosynchronous satellite solar arrays is conducted. This analysis shows that fused silica coverglass arrays can discharge in encounters with high current density, moderate energy substorms. Discharges can also occur in a relaxation phase of a standard design substorm environment. After six months in space, when the Kapton thermal blankets photodegrade to become quasi-conductive, only a very severe substorm environment encounter will produce the conditions necessary to trigger discharges. Analysis based on lumped element modeling of the spacecraft indicates that the structure ringing persists longer than the discharge pulse. Ceria doped coverglass arrays discharge only after Kapton thermal blankets age.

• OSTI ID: 7130847
• Report Number(s): CONF-930704--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Journal Volume: 40:6Pt1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
440200 -- Radiation Effects on Instrument Components
Instruments
or Electronic Systems
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CHARGE COLLECTION
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MAGNETIC BAYS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POWER SUPPLIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SATELLITES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES