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Ultralow-mass solar-array designs for Halley's comet rendezvous missionThis paper describes the conceptual design study results of photovoltaic arrays capable of powering a Halley's comet rendezvous mission. This mission would be Shuttle-launched, employ a unique form of propulsion (ion drive) which requires high power levels for operation, and operate at distances between 0.6 and 4.5 AU. These requirements make it necessary to develop arrays with extremely high power-to-mass ratio (200 W/kg). In addition, the dual requirements of providing ion thruster power as well as housekeeping power leads to the development of unique methods for mode switching. Both planar and variable-concentrator-enhanced array concepts using ultrathin (50 micron) high-efficiency (up to 12.5%) silicon solar cells coupled with thin (75 micron) plastic encapsulants are considered. In order to satisfy the Shuttle launch environment it was necessary to provide novel methods of both storing and deploying these arrays.
Document ID
19790026156
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Costogue, E. N.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Rayl, G.
(General Electric Co. Philadelphia, Pa., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
Location: San Diego, CA
Start Date: August 20, 1978
End Date: August 25, 1978
Accession Number
79A10169
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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