Performance of the Solar Cell Experiments Aboard the NTS-2 Satellite after Three Years in Orbit.

Abstract

This report presents the results obtained from the solar cell experiment aboard the NTS-2 satellite after 1,176 dyas in orbit. The objective of the solar cell experiment is to evaluate the performance and radiation hardness of state-of-the-art solar cells in the space environment. The experiment is comprised of fifteen separate experimental modules each containing five 2 x 2 cm solar cells connected in series. The solar cell types include advanced state-of-the-art silicon solar cells such as the COMSAT CNR cell, the Spectrolab Textured Helios Reflector cell, and the Solarex Vertical Junction cell. Also included for the first time in a flight experiment is the Hughes gallium-arsenide/gallium-aluminum-arsenide cell. There are also on board experiments to evaluate environmental effects on coverslip adhesives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 30, 1981
Accession Number
ADA101983

Entities

People

  • D. H. Walker

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cells
  • Cultured Cells
  • Environment
  • Gallium
  • Gallium Arsenides
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Measurement
  • Optical Materials
  • Radiation
  • Reflectors
  • Short Circuits
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy
  • Space Environments
  • Spacecraft
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites