It has been suggested that the Hughes simulator AMO light level setting, as determined through the use of the 78-101 primary balloon flight standard K7 solar cell, is optimistic. The results presented in this paper, however, indicate that the Hughes in-orbit predictions are, if anything, conservative. Moreover, the important matter is the accuracy of the overall solar array performance prediction methodology and not that of one of its components. Hughes' ability, demonstrated in this paper, to predict solar array output to within plus/minus 2 percent of measured performance shows that the Hughes prediction methodology is fundamental sound. The major uncertainty in orbital performance predictions remains the exact nature of the actual space particulate radiation environment as a function of time. The Hughes best determination model of the synchronous orbit trapped radiation environment, which helped to accurately predict the Intelsat IV spacecraft in-orbit performance from 1971 through 1981, seems quite close to the actual environment and may even be slightly conservative.
In-orbit performance of Hughes HS 376 solar arrays
Betriebsverhalten der HS376 Solaranlage der Fa. Hughes im Weltraum
1985
6 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 7 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Synchronous orbit performance of Hughes Aircraft Company solar arrays
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