Advanced solar cell and array technology for NASA deep space missions

Abstract

A recent study by the NASA Glenn Research Center assessed the fe A recent study by the NASA Glenn Research Center assessed the feasibility of using asibility of using photovoltaics photovoltaics (PV) to power spacecraft for outer planetary, deep space missio (PV) to power spacecraft for outer planetary, deep space missions. ns. While the majority of spacecraft have relied on While the majority of spacecraft have relied on photovoltaics photovoltaics for primary power, the for primary power, the drastic reduction in solar intensity as the spacecraft moves far drastic reduction in solar intensity as the spacecraft moves farther from the sun has ther from the sun has either limited the power available (severely curtailing scientif either limited the power available (severely curtailing scientific operations) or ic operations) or necessitated the use of nuclear systems. A desire by NASA and th necessitated the use of nuclear systems. A desire by NASA and the scientific e scientific community to explore various bodies in the outer solar system an community to explore various bodies in the outer solar system and conduct d conduct " "long long--term term" " operations using smaller, operations using smaller, " "lower lower--cost cost" " spacecraft has renewed interest in spacecraft has renewed interest in exploring the feasibility of using exploring the feasibility of using photovoltaics photovoltaics for missions to Jupiter, Saturn and for missions to Jupiter, Saturn and beyond. With recent advances in solar cell performance and conti beyond. With recent advances in solar cell performance and continuing development nuing development in lightweight, high power solar array technology, the study det in lightweight, high power solar array technology, the study determined that ermined that photovoltaics photovoltaics is indeed a viable option for many of these missions.is indeed a viable option for many of these missions.

Capabilities of Gossamer-1 derived small spacecraft solar sails carrying Mascot-derived nanolanders for in-situ surveying of NEAs

“…[33] With the concurrent reduction of power requirements by the transition from vacuum tube to solid-state electronics and available space in launch vehicles beneath that required for deployable radiators of nuclear reactors, photovoltaic generators became the prime power source in space [10] [16], relegating all the others to niche applications mainly in exploration science missions. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [34] [35] [36] At first confined to the region of the terrestrial planets, the feasibility photovoltaic power has meanwhile been proven out to Jupiter [37] and beyond [38] [39], and photovoltaic spacecraft are considered in studies reaching as far out as Uranus [40].…”

Solar electric propulsion for future NASA missions

“…In addition to developing lighter, higher efficiency solar cells for the arrays [21], radiation hardness of advanced IMM cell technology must be improved, in order to allow operation without degradation on orbits spiraling through the Earth's 978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE Van Allen belts. A trade-off is to use solar concentration, allowing more shielding on the cells without added weight, but the requirements for stringent sun-pointing may make concentration approaches impractical.…”

Study of power options for Jupiter and outer planet missions

“…Power for missions to Jupiter and beyond presents a challenging goal for photovoltaic power systems [1,2], but NASA missions including the Dawn mission to the asteroid belt and the Juno mission to Jupiter (Figure 1) have shown that it is possible to operate solar arrays beyond Mars, and even at Jupiter, nearly 800 million kilometers from the sun.…”