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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Solar simulator for solar dynamic space power system testing

Planned vacuum tank testing of a solar dynamic space power system requires a solar simulator. Several solar simulators were previously built and used for vacuum tank testing of various space systems. However, the apparent solar subtense angle, i.e., the angular size of the apparent sun as viewed from the experiment, of these solar simulators is too large to enable testing of solar dynamic systems. A new design was developed to satisfy the requirements of the solar dynamic testing. This design provides 1.8 kW/m(sup 2) onto a 4.5M diameter test area from a source that subtends only 1 deg, full cone angle. Key features that enable this improved performance are (1) elimination of the collimating mirror commonly used in solar simulators to transform the diverging beam into a parallel beam; (2) a redesigned lamp module that has increased efficiency; and (3) the use of a segmented reflective surface to combine beams from several individual lamp modules at the pseudosun. Each segment of this reflective surface has complex curvature to control the distribution of light. By developing a new solar simulator design for testing of the solar dynamic system instead of modifying current designs, the initial cost was cut in half, the efficiency was increased by 50 percent reducing the operating costs by one-third, and the volume occupied by the solar simulator was reduced by a factor of 10.

Jefferies, Kent S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Selection of Solar Simulator for Solar Dynamic Ground Test

The 2 kWe Solar Dynamic (SD) Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) experiment will be conducted in 1995 at NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC). This solar dynamic power system test will be conducted in a simulated space environment and will require an artificial sun. To address the solar simulator requirements for the GTD, Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) was hired under contract to review and visit four existing solar simulator facilities. The four facilities included, AEDC's Mark 1 Chamber, NASA-JSC Chamber A, AEDC's 12V Chamber, and NASA-JPL Space Simulator Chamber. Two design concepts were considered following several months of evaluating existing solar simulator facilities throughout the United States. To satisfy system requirements for the SD GTD experiment the solar simulator needs to provide a uniform light flux to the SD concentrator, provide the light within a subtense angle of one degree, and provide an intensity of one solar constant (1.37 kW/sq m) at airmass zero. Most solar simulators are designed for supplying heat loads to spacecraft where a cone angle as large as 3 degrees is acceptable. It was also concluded that a solar simulator, such like these considered in the AEDC study, would require major facility modifications for NASA LeRC and result in significant impacts to the program. The advanced solar simulator concept developed by NASA LeRC will meet the system requirements for the SD GTD experiment Since SD GTD solar simulator requirements could not be addressed by existing simulator, an advanced concept was considered.

Tolbert, Carol M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Enhancements in Photon Pressure Measurements Using a Solar Simulator

Initial proof of concept photon momentum measurements were reported at the AIAA Conference in Reno Nevada, January 8-11, 2001. That presentation verified that photon pressure on a simulated solar sail material can be measured under high vacuum conditions using a full spectrum solar simulator and a vacuum compatible force measurement system. Modifications to this test system were implemented to enhance the accuracy of the photon pressure measurement. This paper describes the photon pressure measurement technique and modifications to increase the measurement accuracy using a candidate sail material, aluminized Mylar.

Gray, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Alignment and Initial Operation of an Advanced Solar Simulator

A solar simulator utilizing nine 30 kW xenon arc lamps was built to provide radiant power for testing a solar dynamic space power system in a thermal vacuum environment. The advanced solar simulator meets requirements specific to the solar dynamic system, including: (1) a subtense angle of 1 deg, (2) the ability to vary solar simulator intensity up to 1.7 kW/sq m, (3) a beam diameter of 4.8 m, and (4) uniformity of illumination on the order of +/- 10 percent. The flexibility of the solar simulator design allows for other potential uses of the facility. This paper presents a description of the facility, the alignment procedures used to deliver radiant power to the solar dynamic system, and a summary of the performance of the as-built solar simulator.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Alignment and Initial Operation of an Advanced Solar Simulator

A solar simulator utilizing nine 30-kW xenon arc lamps was built to provide radiant power for testing a solar dynamic space power system in a thermal vacuum environment. The advanced solar simulator achieved the following values specific to the solar dynamic system: (1) a subtense angle of 1 deg; (2) the ability to vary solar simulator intensity up to 1.7 kW/sq m; (3) a beam diameter of 4.8 m; and (4) uniformity of illumination on the order of +/-10%. The flexibility of the solar simulator design allows for other potential uses of the facility.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Alignment and Initial Operation of an Advanced Solar Simulator

A solar simulator utilizing nine 30-kW xenon arc lamps was built to provide radiant power for testing a solar dynamic space power system in a thermal vacuum environment. The advanced solar simulator achieved the following values specific to the solar dynamic system: (1) a subtense angle of 1 deg; (2) the ability to vary solar simulator intensity up to 1.7 kW/sq m; (3) a beam diameter of 4.8 m; and (4) uniformity of illumination on the order of +/-10%. The flexibility of the solar simulator design allows for other potential uses of the facility.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Air mass 1.5 global and direct solar simulation and secondary reference cell calibration using a filtered large area pulsed solar simulator

Spectral mismatch between a solar simulator and a desired spectrum can result in nearly 20 percent measurement error in the output of photovoltaic devices. This occurs when a crystalline silicon cell monitors the intensity of an unfiltered large area pulsed solar simulator (LAPSS) simulating the ASTM air mass 1.5 direct spectrum and the test device is amorphous silicon. The LAPSS spectral irradiance is modified with readily available glass UV filters to closely match either the ASTM air mass 1.5 direct or global spectrum. Measurement error is reduced to about 1 percent when using either filter if the reference cell and test device are the same general type.

Mueller, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Solar Simulator Represents the Mars Surface Solar Environment

A report discusses the development of a Mars surface, laboratory-based solar simulator to create solar cells that can function better on Mars. The Mars Optimized Solar cell Technology (MOST) required defining the surface incident spectrum, developing an appropriate laboratory solar simulator measurement capability, and developing and testing commercial cells modified for the Mars surface spectrum.

Stella, Paul M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Fiber Optical Solar Simulator

A new solar simulator is described whose output closely matches a desired solar spectrum for testing photovoltaic cells. The accurate simulation of the spectrum is attained by combining three light beams, each tailored to have suitable spectral content. The three light beams, derived from two sources, are filtered and 'mixed' by means of a trifurcated, randomized fiber cable so that when superimposed they add up to the desired solar spectrum. The fiber optic solar simulator (FOSS) simplifies solar cell testing by greatly reducing measurement time, obviating need for spectral mismatch corrections, and improving the accuracy of measurement. Other applications of FOSS are also described.

Sopori, Bhushan L.↗