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Issues and opportunities in space photovoltaics
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Francis, Robert W. Flood, Dennis J. Somerville, W. A. |
| Copyright Year | 1988 |
| Description | Space power sources are becoming a central focus for determining man's potential and schedule for exploring and utilizing the benefits of space. The ability to search, probe, survey, and communicate throughout the universe will depend on providing adequate power to the instruments to do these jobs. Power requirements for space platforms are increasing and will continue to increase into the 21st century. Photovoltaics have been a dependable power source for space for the last 30 years and have served as the primary source of power on virtually all DOD and NASA satellites. The performance of silicon (Si) solar cells has increased from 10 percent air mass zero (AM0) solar energy conversion efficiency in the early 60's to almost 15 percent on today's spacecraft. Some technologists even think that the potential for solar photovoltaics has reached a plateau. However, present and near-future Air Force and NASA requirements show needs that, if the problems are looked upon as opportunities, can elevate the photovoltaic power source scientist and array structure engineer into the next technological photovoltaic growth curve. |
| File Size | 1089748 |
| Page Count | 14 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19890005800 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t74v1h54b |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1988-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Solar Cells Gallium Arsenides Photovoltaic Cells Technology Assessment Germanium Spacecraft Power Supplies Silicon Space Exploration Radiation Damage Energy Conversion Efficiency Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
