The first commercial communications satellite with gallium arsenide on germanium (GaAs/Ge) solar cell arrays was launched in January 1996. The spacecraft, named Measat, was built by Hughes Space and Communications Company. The solar cell assemblies consisted of large-area GaAs/Ge cells supplied by Spectrolab Inc, with infrared reflecting (IRR) coverglass supplied by Pilkington Space Technology. A comprehensive characterization program was performed on the GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies used on the Measat array. This program served two functions: first to establish the database needed to accurately predict on-orbit performance under a variety of conditions; and second, to demonstrate the ability of the solar cell assemblies to withstand all mission environments while still providing the required power at end-of-life. Characterization testing included: measurement of electrical performance parameters as a function of radiation exposure, temperature and angle of incident light; reverse bias stability; optical and thermal properties; mechanical strength tests, panel fabrication, humidity and thermal cycling environmental tests. The results provided a complete database enabling the design of the Measat solar array, and demonstrated that the GaAs/Ge cells meet the spacecraft requirements at end-of-life


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    Title :

    Characterization testing of Measat GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies


    Additional title:

    Eigenschaftstests von Measat GaAs/Ge-Solarzellenzusammenbauten


    Contributors:
    Brown, M.R. (author) / Garcia, C.A. (author) / Goodelle, G.S. (author) / Powe, J.S. (author) / Schwartz, J.A. (author)


    Publication date :

    1996


    Size :

    10 Seiten, 9 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





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