Dust Abrasion Damage on Martian Solar Arrays: Experimental Investigation and Opportunity Rover Performance Analysis

摘要

Here we investigate the effects of erosion and weathering that occur on epitaxial lift off triple-junction cover-glass interconnected cells (CICs) after exposure to Mars dust storm conditions. To replicate the dust impingement, test coupons were sandblasted with Mars dust simulant. We show the J-V response dependency on both incident angle and exposure times. We employ data-driven modeling to determine a performance degradation rate that is consistent with zero within uncertainty. We quantify the soiling contribution and power degradation of the cells on Mars through analysis of 4.95 Martian years of report-out power conditions from the Opportunity rover. We calculate via autocorrelation function that the settling rate of atmospheric dust suspended due to a weather event is approximately 21 Sols from dust suspension. The findings presented here deliver a realistic approximation for the insolation values and subsequent PV power expected over time on the Martian surface thus informing future dust abatement systems.