A special architecture for photovoltaic generation of electricity is presented, intended to satisfy the variable power demands of a space mission to the inner solar system, with an orbiting phase around Mercury. The novel concept lies in the combination of a plain solar array with a linear concentration system to be used only during the high-power-low-irradiation cruise phase and to be stripped off when approaching to Mercury. Primary constraints about solar array design are discussed with regards to the harsh environmental conditions along the mission and to the need of great amounts of power for electric propulsion. © 2006 IEEE.
Technology Options for Space Missions in the Inner Solar System / Macellari, Michele; Russo, R; Schirone, Luigi. - ELETTRONICO. - Volume 2:(2006), pp. 1971-1974. (Intervento presentato al convegno 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion tenutosi a Waikoloa; United States nel 7-12 Maggio 2006) [10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279886].
Technology Options for Space Missions in the Inner Solar System
MACELLARI, MICHELE;SCHIRONE, Luigi
2006
Abstract
A special architecture for photovoltaic generation of electricity is presented, intended to satisfy the variable power demands of a space mission to the inner solar system, with an orbiting phase around Mercury. The novel concept lies in the combination of a plain solar array with a linear concentration system to be used only during the high-power-low-irradiation cruise phase and to be stripped off when approaching to Mercury. Primary constraints about solar array design are discussed with regards to the harsh environmental conditions along the mission and to the need of great amounts of power for electric propulsion. © 2006 IEEE.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
