Development of High Voltage Solar Array for 300V-bus Satellite

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The purpose of this research is to develop a prototype of solar array for a 300-V bus satellite that can operate stably even in Low Earth Orbit plasma environment. We have first developed experimental systems. Then, we have tested various solar array coupon that have been made incorporating new ideas. Finally, we have carried out preliminary experiment for orbit demonstration about film coupon that showed the best performance of arc inception suppression.The film coupon is made by putting ETFE film on top of standard solar array that is used for conventional 100V-bus satellites. The purpose of putting the film is to prevent charging of conductor near dielectric material by blocking the charged particles from the ambient plasma. In order to suppress the performance degradation due to repeated trigger arcs below 1% during 30years operation in orbit, we need to suppress the arc inception below one arc in 25 hours. We have exposed the film coupon to LEO-like plasma for 28hours with-400V bias voltage and observed no arc. We tested -800V bias voltage for 3 hours but we didn't observe any arc.Based on these test results, the following points should be taken into account when we design 300V-bus satellite solar array,(1)Solar array paddle structure should be flexible.(2)One sheet of ETFE film should cover one solar array panel.(3)The solar array circuit layout should have the negative end at the center of solar array panel.(4)RTV grouting should be made at bus-bar and the shorter edge of solar cells.