Development of electrical solar array simulator
Abstract
As the size of satellites has been increasing, larger power supplies have correspondingly become necessary. Large scale facilities are required for generating simulated sunlight and for illuminating adequately the solar arrays. The development such large facilities is mostly unrealistic because of their limitation in size and of the difficulty in simulating the space environment. The overheating of the satellite by the strong light illumination is an especially serious problem. In order to overcome these difficulties, an electrical solar array simulator that simulates the electrical performance of a solar array has been developed. This solar array simulator supplies electric power to the satellite without light illumination. The developed simulator is easy to use and to move, expandible to larger size by integrating unit cells, and does not need a large facility. This paper describes the development of the solar array simulator and its test results.
- Publication:
-
Space Technology and Science
- Pub Date:
- 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992spte.symp..921T
- Keywords:
-
- Performance Tests;
- Scientific Satellites;
- Simulators;
- Solar Arrays;
- Spacecraft Power Supplies;
- Controllers;
- Design Analysis;
- Electrical Properties;
- Ground Support Systems and Facilities (Space)