Influences of Space Debris Impact on Solar Array under Power Generation
- Paper number
IAC-05-B6.2.08
- Author
Mr. Shinya Fukushige, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Yasuhiro Akahoshi, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Mengu Cho, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Takayuki Harano, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Satoshi Hosoda, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Takao Koura, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Yu Machida, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Solar array is getting larger and the voltage is getting higher because current satellites need large amount of power. Therefore, there is fear that space debris collides to solar array and the power generation capacity is lost. In fact, a lot of debris and dust impacts were confirmed on the fuselage of retrieved satellite SFU and the solar array paddle of satellite Eureca. The influences by space debris impact on solar array needs the multiple inspection of physical and electrical damage because space debris impact could lead to not only surface degradation of solar cell, and short circuit between array circuit and solar paddle substrate, but also threatens that dense plasma which is induced by impact energy causes discharge. If this discharge develops into sustained arc, decline or loss of generated output occurs. For example, the cause of satellite Tempo-2 failure has possibility of the sustained arc, but it was not drawn by space debris impact. However, the research of these influences is inadequate to take countermeasures against space debris impact on solar array. In particular, there is no research into discharge induced by space debris impact. In this study, we conducted hypervelocity impact tests to solar array under pseudo power generation by an external circuit and collected data about short circuit between solar array and the substrate, occurrences of induced discharge and sustained arc by space debris impact.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-B6.2.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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