SOLAR ARRAY AUGMENTED ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE FOR SPACECRAFT IN GEOSYNCHRONOUS ORBIT

摘要

Improved solar cell circuit layouts and cell structures that protect solararrayslocated on spacecraft disposed in geosynchronous earth orbit fromelectrostaticdischarge. An insulating material, such as RTV adhesive, for example, is usedas abarrier that disposed in intercell gaps between solar cells. The use of theinsulatingmaterial modifies sparking in the gaps caused by electrostatic discharge sothat, whilethe spark still occurs, it has different non-destructive characteristics. Theuse of theinsulating material causes no damage to other solar cell materials, such as aKaptoninsulating layer or substrate used to support the solar cells. Furthermore,unique solarcell wiring schemes are provided that limit the voltage between adjacent solarcells to 50volts or less.