Analysis of Triple Junction Solar Arrays After Three Years in Orbit

摘要

We present the in-orbit performance of Boeing solar arrays built with improved triple junction (ITJ) GalnP₂/GaAs/Ge solar cells. Comparison of telemetered and predicted power output shows consistent results throughout the spacecraft fleet with performance exceeding prediction by approximately 2%. We analyze the dependence of solar array output on spacecraft load to extract data on the shape of the solar array I-V curve. These results show close agreement between prediction and measurement; specifically, the telemetered ratio of current at load to short-circuit current is within 1.2% of prediction after 3.3 years in orbit