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In‐orbit performance of Hughes HS601HP dual junction GaInP 2 /GaAs/Ge solar arrays
Author(s) -
Gelb Steven W,
Fodor Jay S,
Powe Joseph S
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/1099-159x(200005/06)8:3<307::aid-pip321>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - spacecraft , orbit (dynamics) , aerospace engineering , spacecraft design , low earth orbit , radiation , photovoltaic system , dual (grammatical number) , power (physics) , optoelectronics , materials science , remote sensing , physics , electrical engineering , engineering , satellite , optics , geology , art , literature , quantum mechanics
Hughes Space and Communication Company's body‐stabilized HS601HP communications satellites represent the first commercial spacecraft to utilize dual junction GaInP 2 /GaAs/Ge solar cells as their primary power source. The in‐orbit electrical performance of four of these spacecraft has been monitored and compared to ground‐based predictions. The predictions employ the as‐built solar array configuration and electrical performance, the actual in‐orbit radiation environment, and additional predicted environmental factors. Hughes' manufacturing and prediction methodology has led to agreement between the average telemetered and predicted power of ±2% for these spacecraft. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.