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Solar Arrays for Direct-Drive Electric Propulsion: Arcing at High VoltagesThe results from an experimental investigation to assess arcing during operation of high voltage solar arrays in a plasma environment are presented. The experiments were part of an effort to develop systems that would allow safe operation of Hall-Effect Thrustefls) in direct-drive mode. Arc discharges are generated when the array is biased negative with respect to the plasma. If sustained for long periods of time between adjacent solar cells, arcs may severely damage a solar array, thus significantly shortening its lifetime. Most often sustained arcs are triggered by plasma produced during short-duration discharge arcs (approximately 20 microseconds). These trigger arcs are sparked between the semiconducting cell and the covering dielectric. Both trigger and sustained (greater than 1 millisecond) arcs have been captured during the tests. Current and voltage waveforms associated with the different arc events are presented. The test results have defined operational limits (thresholds) for the various array concepts studied that minimize the likelihood of damage from sustained arcs. Experimental trends regarding the effect of the solar array substrate on arc duration are also presented.
Document ID
20040068090
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Schneider, Todd A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mikellides, I. G.
(Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)
Jongeward, G. A.
(Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)
Peterson, T.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Kerslake, T. W.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Snyder, D.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Ferguson, D.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
March 30, 2004
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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