High-Voltage Solar Array Technology

Herron, B. G.; Bayless, J. R.; Worden, J.

doi:10.2514/3.61908

Cited by 21 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Simulation of the LEO plasma environment in groundbased vacuum facilities has been performed for many years to study the effects of plasma interactions (e.g. current collection, electrical break-down thresholds, charging, etc) on spacecraft surfaces [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In most of these studies compromises have been made on the fidelity of the plasma environment formation in regard to plasma composition, plasma density, electron temperature and ram (or streaming) ion energy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although non-ideal plasma conditions were produced, it is pointed out that the plasma simulation facilities described in [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] have performed their task well, and results from these and other similar studies have guided the development and fabrication of materials and hardware used in space flight applications. Two problems have plagued LEO simulation efforts, however, and they include (1) difficulty in obtaining plasma sources that produce plasmas with adjustable, ultra-low electron temperatures on the order of 0.1 eV and (2) streaming ion populations of ∼5 eV.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Magnetic filter type plasma source for ground-based simulation of low earth orbit environment

Rubin¹,

Farnell²,

Williams³

et al. 2009

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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Simulation of the low Earth orbit (LEO) plasma environment in ground-based vacuum facilities is important for studies of spacecraft interaction with ionospheric plasmas. In this paper we describe the design and performance of a magnetic filter-equipped plasma source. Experimental data collected in the expanding plasma downstream of the source suggest it is a good candidate for use as a LEO plasma simulator in that the expanding plasma has a very low electron temperature and contains streaming ions-the plasma environment encountered by satellites in LEO. Adjustable plasma source operating conditions of flow rate, discharge current and discharge voltage enable production of plasma electron temperatures over the range from 0.17 to 0.35 eV and streaming ion energies over the range from 1 to 4 eV.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic filter type plasma source for ground-based simulation of low earth orbit environment

Rubin¹,

Farnell²,

Williams³

et al. 2009

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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“…The imposed limitations of these studies will be pointed out along with additional consideration of the other requirements of electric propulsion. In addition to these studies there has been experimental investigations of the basic regulation concepts of HVSA at NASA-Lewis Research Center ( 4 ) and Hughes Research Laboratories (5). This work further substantiates the merits and feasibility of this technology and will be briefly reviewed in order to present an overall prospective of the HVSA status.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The advantages of the high voltage solar array for electric propulsion

Sater

1973

10th Electric Propulsion Conference

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The high voltage solar array (HVSA) offers improvements in efficiency, weight, and reliability for the electric propulsion power system. The basic HVSA technology involves designing the solar array to deliver power in the form required by the ion thruster. This paper delves into conventional power processes and problems associated with ion thruster operation using SERT II experience for examples. In this light, the advantages of the JJ HVSA concept for electric propulsion are presented. Tests con-£; ducted operating the SERT II thruster system in conjunction with ' HVSA are discussed. Thruster operation was observed to be normal and in some respects improved.

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“…The ground investigations have identified the basic interactions described above. (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) The SPHINX satellite (an acroynm standing for Sace Plasma-High Voltage Interaction Experiment) to evaluate the interactions in the space environment was built and launched, (16) but was lost when the Titan-Centaur proof flight mission failed to orbit the payload in February 1974.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%