Mission Results of High Voltage Technology Demonstration Satellite 'HORYU-2'

摘要

The World's largest spacecraft bus voltage is the International Space Station (ISS) with a bias voltage of 160V. We have investigated a power bus able to handle higher voltage than the ISS. Electro-static discharges (ESDs) are more likely to occur when a satellite generates power at a high voltage rather than low voltage in low Earth orbit (LEO). However, high voltage generation is essential for building large space systems. Therefore, Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) is developing a high voltage generation technology that could counteract ESDs. This could be considered as a key technology for next generation spacecraft. Nano-satellites are useful and less risky tools for technology demonstration since they are faster and less expensive to develop than large satellites. Therefore, we focused on nano-satellite development to demonstrate Kyutech's advanced high voltage generation technology. All of the on-orbit high voltage tests have been demonstrated by using a DC/DC converter to adapt the high voltage generated by the solar array. This was a World premiere as no high voltage tests had previously been performed in space using solar arrays. To demonstrate the feasibility of on-orbit high voltage generation, we developed a High Voltage Technology Demonstration Satellite named HORYU-2. The mission consisted of 300V generation without causing arcing, and contribution to the practical development of 1MW class spacecraft. On May 18, 2012, HORYU-2 was launched by the H-2A rocket number 21. HORYU-2 has been operated from Kyutech's ground station, and HORYU-2's orbit was confirmed and the mission successful. For the first time in the World, 350V have been generated on-orbit without arc creation. Using two specially designed solar arrays arcing was mitigated. Regarding the sub-missions, ELF was proven to work well on-orbit, Trek measurements are currently under investigation, the SCAMP camera successfully imaged Earth, and the debris sensor has not yet detected debris impact. During the conference, we will present all mission analysis in further detail.