微米级空间碎片撞击太阳电池研究

Research of Micron-sized Space Debris Impacting on Solar Cells

目的评估航天器太阳电池阵遭遇微米级空间碎片撞击后性能的下降程度。方法利用激光驱动飞片发射系统针对硅太阳电池开展系统的试验工作,对太阳电池机械损伤特性及伏安特性进行测试。利用ORDEM2000软件计算航天器所在轨道的碎片通量和速度。结合试验结果,计算航天器太阳电池阵因微米级空间碎片撞击引起的最大输出功率衰减率。结果太阳电池最大输出功率衰减率与溅射区直径呈二次函数关系,与表面污染率近似相等。未来5年天宫一号所在轨道航天器太阳电池因微米级空间碎片撞击引起的最大输出功率衰减率为0.45%。结论利用该研究结果可以预计航天器太阳电池因微米级空间碎片撞击引起的最大输出功率衰减率,为航天器总体设计提供技术支持。

Objective To evaluate the performance degradation degree of solar cell arrays of spacecrafts after impacted by micron-sized space debris. Methods Single impact and cumulate impact tests were carried out for the silicon solar cells using the laser-driven flyer system. Their characteristics, including mechanical damage characteristicsand volt-ampere characteristics were measured and compared after tests. Cumulative flux and speed of Tiangong 1st orbital debris were calculated by ORDEM 2000. Taking the test results into account, the attenuation rate of maximum output power caused by micron-sized space debris were obtained for the solar cell arrays of spacecrafts. Results The results showed that the attenuation rate of maximum output power could be presented by quadratic function of the diameter of splash region, which approached the surface contaminated rate of solar cells. The attenuation rate of maximum power of the solar cell arrays for spacecrafts in Tiangong 1st orbit would be 0.45% in next 5 years.Conclusion The attenuation rate of maximum output power of the solar cell arrays for spacecrafts caused by micron-sized space debris could be estimated using this research result, which provides technical support for system design of spacecrafts.