Actions for Voltage gradients in solar array cavities as possible breakdown sites in spacecraft-charging-induced discharges

Email RIS file
Bookmark
Report an Issue

Voltage gradients in solar array cavities as possible breakdown sites in spacecraft-charging-induced discharges

Author
Mills, H. E.
Published
JAN 1, 1981.
Physical Description
1 electronic document
Additional Creators
Stevens, N. J. and Orange, L.
Online Version

Availability

I Want It
I Want It

Finding items...

Restrictions on Access
Unclassified, Unlimited, Publicly available.
Free-to-read Unrestricted online access
Summary
A possible explanation for environmentally-induced discharges on geosynchronous satellites exists in the electric fields formed in the cavities between solar cells - the small gaps formed by the cover slides, solar cells, metallic interconnects and insulating substrate. When exposed to a substorm environment, the cover slides become less negatively charged than the spacecraft ground. If the resultant electric field becomes large enough, then the interconnect could emit electrons (probably by field emission) which could be accelerated to space by the positive voltage on the covers. An experimental study was conducted using a small solar array segment in which the interconnect potential was controlled by a power supply while the cover slides were irradiated by monoenergetic electrons. It was found that discharges could be triggered when the interconnect potential became at least 500 volts negative with respect to the cover slides. Analytical modeling of satellites exposed to substorm environments indicates that such gradients are possible. Therefore, it appears that this trigger mechanism for discharges is possible.
Other Subject(s)
Collection
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) Collection.
Note
Document ID: 19820003234.
Accession ID: 82N11107.
NASA-TM-82710.
E-1003.
Ann. Conf. on Nucl. and Space Radiation Effects,; 21-24 Jul. 1981; Seattle, WA; United States.
Terms of Use and Reproduction
No Copyright.
View MARC record | catkey: 15717740