Space is one of the most demanding environments that humans have explored. Its extreme temperatures and high levels of electromagnetic and particle radiation make it a fundamental challenge for any spacecraft. This challenge is compounded for photovoltaic cells, which have to generate power for the entirety of the mission. These cells need strong cover glass to protect them and their components, as well as to increase efficiency by providing high light transmission.
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On October 4, , a great chapter in the age of space travel began with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik 1. However, the first artificial Earth satellite's mission was a short one. At that time, batteries were used to power the satellite. These lasted for only 21 days, and after 92 days in orbit, Sputnik 1 burned up in the atmosphere.
At that point, the race for technical superiority in space began. Shortly thereafter, satellites were equipped with solar cells in addition to batteries. The goal of the built-in solar cell was to supply satellites with electricity for the duration of their missions with power obtained from solar radiation in orbit. This addition significantly reduced battery mass and substantially extended mission duration. Of the approximately 4,900 active satellites orbiting the Earth by the end of , nearly every satellite relies on solar cells to provide a reliable power supply.
Another challenge for satellites in space is wear and tear. Space is a hostile environment, with extreme low and high temperatures and enormous temperature changes. Additionally, missions face pressures from the vacuum atmosphere, and high doses of electromagnetic and charged particle radiation from the Sun and other stars outside our solar system. These are extremely stressful for materials.
In order to withstand the challenging environmental conditions of space, materials require suitable protection. In order to function, the solar cells that equip satellites rely on the long-term protection provided by covering solar cells with glass.
On this page we’ll explain the basics of satellite solar panels, how to find the perfect power match for your satellite, which questions to address when dimensioning your satellite solar panels and the Sparkwing off-the-shelf solar panel approach!
Sparkwing is the world’s first commercially available off-the-shelf solar array for small satellites. It is optimized for LEO missions requiring power levels between 100W and W, and bus voltages of 36V or 50V. We offer more than twenty different panel dimensions, which can be configured into deployable wings with one, two or three panels per wing.
Download data sheet Get the full specifications data sheet Download 3D CAD files Try out our Sparkwing modelsThere are no power sockets in space (yet). Satellites need power to operate once they are launched. Just like with your mobile , no power means no activity.
Solar panels help transform sunlight into electrical power for the operation of a satellite, making them a main source of power and thereby one of the most essential parts of a spacecraft. In the presence of sunlight, the electric power generated by solar panels charge the batteries onboard a satellite. When the satellite is away from sunlight, for example in eclipse i.e. in the Earth’s shadow, these onboard batteries ensure continuous power to the spacecraft.
The more surface a satellite solar panel has, the more sunlight it catches and thus the more electrical power it generates. In order to fit a satellite in a launcher, solar panels are folded together (‘stowed’) to the side of that satellite. Once the launcher has reached the desired orbit, the satellite is released and the solar panels are opened (‘deployed’). Once the solar panels are deployed, the satellite has wings!
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A satellite can either have one single solar panel or multiple panels, depending on the power need and satellite dimensions. All solar panels combined, including the deployment mechanisms to open them in orbit, are often referred to as the ‘solar array’ subsystem.
So how do you dimension your satellite solar panel? There are two main questions:
1. What is the power (Wattage) required from the solar panels?
The required power level is commonly achieved by characterizing a spacecraft’s power profile (i.e. the required level of power throughout the orbit), which depends mainly on:
2. What is the available volume (width x length x height) for the satellite solar panels?
The available space is usually determined by the size and configuration of the launcher and satellite. Also please check which sidewalls of the satellite are available for the stowed solar panel(s) and whether there are stay-out zones to be taken into account.
In the past, for every single satellite, solar arrays were designed and built to custom. With many new commercial actors in space launching large and small satellites, there is a paradigm shift in how we build solar arrays. In a growing and competitive market, customers demand reliable and affordable space products; this, in combination with technical advances (i.e. consumer electronics and other systems being adapted for space use) creates a demand for “Commercial Off-The-Shelf” (COTS) space products.
In , the Sparkwing team decided to take on the challenge to create an off-the-shelf solar array for smallsats. By looking at common smallsat platforms and launchers (e.g. ESPA class and PSLV/Vega rideshare) and derived common satellite volumes therefrom. We were able to deduce standardized dimensions for solar arrays, determined common bus voltages and the optimal PVA lay-out for the standardized solar panel dimensions. As a result, we have made it happen… COTS solar arrays for satellites!
For more information, please visit satellite solar cell.