Solar Cell and Array Standardization for Air Force Spacecraft,

Abstract

Efforts have been in progress to evaluate and to accomplish solar cell and array standardization for Air Force spacecraft. Analysis results indicate that the array area and weight penalties that typically would be involved in the use of a standard solar cell module would be less than 10%. The potential payoff of standardization is cost savings to the Air Force and improved solar array reliability. Cost experience data from NASA are used to show that large savings over a 12-year period might be possible. An attempt is being made to standardize procurement practices at the power system and solar array levels and to standardize hardware at the solar cell level. Three documents have been prepared as part of this effort: a military standard for the design of space vehicles dc power systems (MIL-STD-1539), a military specification for solar arrays (MIL-S-XXXXX), and a military specification for solar cells (MIL-C-83443).

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 24, 1974
Accession Number
ADA004544

Entities

People

  • E. Wade
  • H. J. Killian
  • H. T. Sampson
  • J. F. Wise

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cells
  • Military Standards
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft
  • Specifications
  • Standardization
  • Standards
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Software Engineering.
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space