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Development of the VOLT-A shuttle experimentThe NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is investigating potential problems associated with the operation of high voltage solar cell arrays in the space plasma environment. At high voltages, interactions between the solar array and the space plasma could result in unacceptable levels of electrical discharge (arcing) and/or parasitic losses (current drains from the array to the plasma). The objective of the Voltage Operating Limit Tests (VOLT-A) Shuttle bay experiment is to characterize space plasma/solar cell panel interactions in low earth orbit. VOLT-A consists of an experiment plate subassembly which contains four solar panels, an electronics subassembly and a Langmuir probe subassembly mounted on an MPESS carrier. During a given 8.25 hour data taking period (5-1/2 continuous orbits), the solar panels, which represent state-of-the-art solar cell technologies, will be sequentially subjected to bias voltages in steps ranging from minus 626 V to plus 313 V. Appropriate measurements will be made at each voltage to characterize arcing and parasitic losses. Corresponding measurements of the plasma environment (plasma density, electron temperature and neutral density) will also be made. Data will be recorded on an on-board tape recorder for subsequent data reduction and analysis.
Document ID
19860004641
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Bifano, W. J. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Bozek, J. M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Ferguson, D. C. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-87169
NAS 1.15:87169
E-2807
Meeting Information
Meeting: Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: October 21, 1985
End Date: October 25, 1985
Sponsors: IEEE
Accession Number
86N14110
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 506-41-11
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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