Development of High Voltage Power Supply for Artificial Satellites

高压电源是科学卫星上常用的电源，但重量轻、性能好、可靠性高的高压电源一直难以获得。特别是防止高压电源的真空放电是至关重要的。本研究旨在建立星载高压电源的技术。为此，我们进行了各种实验室实验。此外，我们还密切跟踪了1993年2月发射的宇宙X射线探测器ASCA上的气体成像光谱仪（GIS）所用的8千伏高压电源的在轨性能。我们与Meisei Electric Co.Ltd和Tamura Corporation Ltd合作开发了这些HVPS。这些HVPS一直运行正常。从这些结果中，我们可以列出以下制造HVPS的指导方针。(1)防止HVPS真空放电的最佳方法是利用高真空本身的高电阻率。(2)应避免高压电路的固体灌封，但其保形涂层是有效的。(3)为了防止发射振动，不应使用发泡材料。这些材料偶尔会产生零星的释气，导致危险的排放。

High-voltage power supplies (HVPSs) are often used by instruments onboard scientific satellites, but those with low weight, hight performance, and high reliability have not been easily available. In Particular, it is of vital importance to prevent the HVPS from vacuum discharges.This research has aimed at establishing the know-hows of satellite-borne HVPSs. For that purpose we carried out various laboratory experiments. FurThermore, we closely followed inorbit performance of 8 kilovolt HVPSs used in the GIS (Gas Imaging Spectrometer) instrument onboard the cosmic X-ray setellite ASCA,launched in February 1993. We developd these HVPSs under collaboration with Meisei Electric Co.Ltd and Tamura Corporation Ltd.These HVPSs have been performing normally.From these result, we can list up following guidelines in fabricating the HVPSs.(1) The best way of preventing the HVPS from vacuum discharges is to utilize the high electric resistivity of the high vacuum itself.(2) Solid potting of the high voltage circuits should be avoided, but their conformal coating is effective.(3) For the protection against launch vibration, no foaming material should be used. Such materials would occasionally make sporadic outgas, leading to hazardous discharges.