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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Low concentration ratio solar array for low Earth orbit multi-100kW application. Volume 2: Drawings

A preliminary design effort directed toward a low concentration ratio photovoltaic array system based on 1984 technology and capable of delivering multi-hundred kilowatts (300 kW to 100 kW range) in low Earth orbit. The array system consists of two or more array modules each capable of delivering between 113 kW to 175 kW using silicon solar cells or gallium arsenide solar cells, respectively. The array module deployed area is 1320 square meters and consists of 4356 pyramidal concentrator elements. The module, when stowed in the Space Shuttle's payload bay, has a stowage volume of a cube with 3.24 meters on a side. The concentrator elements are sized for a geometric concentration ratio (GCR) of six with an aperture area of 0.5 meters x 0.5 meters. Drawings for the preliminary design configuration and for the test hardware that was fabricated for design evaluation and test are provided.

Nalbandian, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Low concentration ratio solar array for low Earth orbit multi-100 kW application. Volume 1: Design, analysis and development tests

A preliminary design effort directed toward a low concentration ratio photovoltaic array system capable of delivering multihundred kilowatts (300 kW to 1000 kW range) in low earth orbit is described. The array system consists of two or more array modules each capable of delivering between 113 kW to 175 kW using silicon solar cells or gallium arsenide solar cells, respectively. The array module deployed area is 1320 square meters and consists of 4356 pyramidal concentrator elements. The module, when stowed in the Space Shuttle's payload bay, has a stowage volume of a cube with 3.24 meters on a side. The concentrator elements are sized for a geometric concentration ratio (GCR) of six with an aperture area of .25 sq. m. The structural analysis and design trades leading to the baseline design are discussed. It describes the configuration, as well as optical, thermal and electrical performance analyses that support the design and overall performance estimates for the array are described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1982

Minority carrier diffusion length measurements - A review and comparison of techniques

A review of the major techniques for measuring minority carrier diffusion lengths in solar cells is given. Limits of applicability are indicated for each method, as relevant to indirect bandgap materials such as silicon, and direct bandgap materials like gallium arsenide. A discussion and bibliography is presented for the following techniques: uniform generation, electron beam induced current, Schottky barrier (and other steady-state) photocurrent, surface photovoltage, transient decay, and luminescence.

Khan, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Integrated Laser and Light Detector

Proposed infrared optical transmitter tracks distant beacon and automatically point transmitted beam toward beacon. Essential transmitter is integrated gallium arsenide device containing electronically-steerable semiconductor injection laser and position detector that senses direction to beacon. With satisfactory optics and sufficient power, system used for long-distance transmission.

Katz, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Study of multi-kilowatt solar arrays for Earth orbit applications

A miniaturized Cassegrainian concentrator (MCC) solar array concept is being developed with the objective of significantly reducing the recurring cost of multikilowatt solar arrays. The desired cost reduction is obtained as a result of using very small high efficiency solar cells in conjuction with low cost optics. The MCC single element concept incident slar radiation is reflected rom a primary parabolic reflector to a secondary hyperbolic reflector and finally to a 4 millimeter diameter solar cell. A light catcher cone is used to improve off axis performance. The solar cell is mounted to a heat fin. An element is approximately 13 millimeters thick which permits efficient launch stowage of the concentrator system panels without complex optical component deployments or retractions. The MCC elements are packed in bays within graphite epoxy frames and are electrically connected into appropriate series-parallel circuits. A MCC sngle element with a 21 sq cm entrance aperture and a 20 efficient, 0.25 sq cm gallium arsenide solar cell has the same power output as 30 sq cm of 11-percent efficiency (at 68 C) silicon solar cells.

Patterson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Potential means of support for materials processing in space. A history of government support for new technology

Development of a given technology for national defense and large systems developments when the task is too large or risky for entrepreneurs, yet is clearly in the best interest of the nation are discussed. Advanced research to identify areas of interest was completed. Examples of commercial opportunities are the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation purification process for pharmaceutical products and the Microgravity Research Associates process for growing gallium arsenide crystals in space.

Mckannan, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Microwave monolithic integrated circuit development for future spaceborne phased array antennas

The development of fully monolithic gallium arsenide (GaAs) receive and transmit modules suitable for phased array antenna applications in the 30/20 gigahertz bands is presented. Specifications and various design approaches to achieve the design goals are described. Initial design and performance of submodules and associated active and passive components are presented. A tradeoff study summary is presented highlighting the advantages of distributed amplifier approach compared to the conventional single power source designs.

Anzic, G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A simple model of space radiation damage in GaAs solar cells

A simple model is derived for the radiation damage of shallow junction gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells. Reasonable agreement is found between the model and specific experimental studies of radiation effects with electron and proton beams. In particular, the extreme sensitivity of the cell to protons stopping near the cell junction is predicted by the model. The equivalent fluence concept is of questionable validity for monoenergetic proton beams. Angular factors are quite important in establishing the cell sensitivity to incident particle types and energies. A fluence of isotropic incidence 1 MeV electrons (assuming infinite backing) is equivalent to four times the fluence of normal incidence 1 MeV electrons. Spectral factors common to the space radiations are considered, and cover glass thickness required to minimize the initial damage for a typical cell configuration is calculated. Rough equivalence between the geosynchronous environment and an equivalent 1 MeV electron fluence (normal incidence) is established.

Wilson, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space station needs, attributes and architectural options study. Volume 2: Mission analysis

Space environment studies, astrophysics, Earth environment, life sciences, and material sciences are discussed. Commercial communication, materials processing, and Earth observation missions are addressed. Technology development, space operations, scenarios of operational capability, mission requirements, and benefits analysis results for space-produced gallium arsenide crystals, direct broadcasting satellite systems, and a high inclination space station are covered.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

NASA-OAST photovoltaic energy conversion program

The NASA program in photovoltaic energy conversion research is discussed. Solar cells, solar arrays, gallium arsenides, space station and spacecraft power supplies, and state of the art devices are discussed.

Mullin, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radiation testing of GaAs on CRRES and LIPS experiment

The radiation damage of solar cells has become a prime concern to the U.S. Air Force due to longer satellite lifetime requirements. Flight experiments were undertaken on the Navy Living Plume Shield (LPS) satellite and the NASA/Air Force Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) to complement existing radiation testing. Each experiment, the rationale behind it, and its approach and status are presented. The effect of space radiation on gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells was the central parameter investigated. Specifications of the GaAs solar cells are given.

Trumble, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Solar cell degradation in proton radiation orbits

Significant discrepancies have been observed between predicted and actual in-orbit silicon solar array degradation in orbits other than LEO (low Earth orbits) and GEO (geosynchronous orbit). These discrepancies have been diagnosed to arise probably from a combination of a lack of appropriate solar cell test data and from inadequacies in the models that relate the unidirectional and mono-energetic proton test data to the omnidirectional flux-energy spectra actually found in orbit. Relative damage coefficients and solar cell power outputs were discussed, and also were presented in graph form. Silicon and gallium arsenide solar cells were considered.

Rauschenbach, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Model of solar cell proton damage

A short circuit current (I sub sc) degradation model for gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells irradiated by protons from low energy to 100 MeV was developed. This model was found to be satisfactory in predicting the I sub sc degradation of GaAs cells, but not that of silicon (Si) cells. A modification to the aforementioned model that preserves the optical wavelength dependency in the photogeneration of minority carrier pairs was described herein. Spectral Si and GaAs response and I sub sc for the Si and GaAs solar cells were discussed, and also were presented in graph form. The overall predictability of the modified model was deemed to be satisfactory.

Yaung, J. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The 20 and 30 GHz MMIC technology for future space communication antenna system

The development of fully monolithic gallium arsenide receive and transmit modules is described. These modules are slated for phased array antenna applications in future 30/20 gigahertz communications satellite systems. Performance goals and various approaches to achieve them are discussed. The latest design and performance results of components, submodules and modules are presented.

Anzic, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The 20 GHz solid state transmitter design, impatt diode development and reliability assessment

A single drift gallium arsenide (GaAs) Schottky barrier IMPATT diode and related components were developed. The IMPATT diode reliability was assessed. A proof of concept solid state transmitter design and a technology assessment study were performed. The transmitter design utilizes technology which, upon implementation, will demonstrate readiness for development of a POC model within the 1982 time frame and will provide an information base for flight hardware capable of deployment in a 1985 to 1990 demonstrational 30/20 GHz satellite communication system. Life test data for Schottky barrier GaAs diodes and grown junction GaAs diodes are described. The results demonstrate the viability of GaAs IMPATTs as high performance, reliable RF power sources which, based on the recommendation made herein, will surpass device reliability requirements consistent with a ten year spaceborne solid state power amplifier mission.

Picone, S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Considerations for millimeter wave printed antennas

Calculated data are presented on the performance of printed antenna elements on substrates which may be electrically thick, as would be the case for printed antennas at millimeter wave frequencies. Printed dipoles and microstrip patch antennas on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), quartz, and gallium arsenide substrates are considered. Data are given for resonant length, resonant resistance, bandwidth, loss due to surface waves, loss due to dielectric heating, and mutual coupling. Also presented is an optimization procedure for maximizing or minimizing power launched into surface waves from a multielement printed antenna array. The data are calculated by a moment method solution.

Pozar, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Microwave monolithic integrated circuit development for future spaceborne phased array antennas

The development of fully monolithic gallium arsenide (GaAs) receive and transmit modules suitable for phased array antenna applications in the 30/20 gigahertz bands is presented. Specifications and various design approaches to achieve the design goals are described. Initial design and performance of submodules and associated active and passive components are presented. A tradeoff study summary is presented, highlighting the advantages of a distributed amplifier approach compared to the conventional single power source designs. Previously announced in STAR as N84-13399

Anzic, G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Mechanical design of a low concentration ratio solar array for a space station application

This paper describes a preliminary study and conceptual design of a low concentration ratio solar array for a space station application with approximately a 100 kW power requirement. The baseline design calls for a multiple series of inverted, truncated, pyramidal optical elements with a geometric concentration ratio (GCR) of 6. It also calls for low life cycle cost, simple on-orbit maintainability, 1984 technology readiness date, and gallium arsenide (GaAs) of silicon (Si) solar cell interchangeability. Due to the large area needed to produce the amount of power required for the baseline space station, a symmetrical wing design, making maximum use of the commonality of parts approach, was taken. This paper will describe the mechanical and structural design of a mass-producible solar array that is very easy to tailor to the needs of the individual user requirement.

Biss, M. S.↗