The harsh space environment at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) induces differential charging of spacecraft surfaces due to simultaneous fluxes of electrons with a wide distribution of energies onto, into, and through spacecraft surface materials. Thus, satellite surfaces can charge thousands of volts with respect to each other, whereas entire satellites can charge tens of thousands of volts negative relative to their surrounding space plasma. The ensuing electric fields can cause local discharges (arcs) from one part of the spacecraft to another, endangering the normal operation of the satellite. Furthermore, solar cell coverglass contamination induced by the high rate of arcing is sufficient to produce the ~1.5%/year power loss in excess of radiation damage that has been observed on global positioning system (GPS) satellites. This work focuses on evaluation of a GEO space weather effect on material properties caused by irradiating different types of commonly used space solar cell coverglasses (CMX, fused silica, and Corning 0214) with >90-keV electron radiation.

中文翻译：

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模拟地球环境对太阳能电池板盖玻片性能的影响


地球同步轨道 (GEO) 的恶劣空间环境会引起航天器表面的差异充电，这是由于电子通量与广泛的能量分布同时到达、进入和穿过航天器表面材料。因此，卫星表面相对于彼此可以充电数千伏，而整个卫星相对于其周围空间等离子体可以充电数万伏负电。随之而来的电场会导致航天器的一个部分到另一部分的局部放电（电弧），危及卫星的正常运行。此外，高电弧率引起的太阳能电池盖玻片污染足以产生约 1.5%/年的功率损耗，超过在全球定位系统 (GPS) 卫星上观察到的辐射损伤。这项工作的重点是评估用 >90-keV 电子辐射照射不同类型的常用空间太阳能电池盖玻片（CMX、熔融石英和康宁 0214）所引起的 GEO 空间天气对材料性能的影响。