Power Losses of Solar Arrays under the Action of an Environment in a Geosynchronous Orbit

We derive calculated and experimental relations characterizing the reduction in the electric power of solar arrays under prolonged (∼10 years) action of the environment in orbit. The influence of separate factors related to the environment on the loss of solar arrays power is studied. The following factors are considered: ionizing and ultraviolet emissions, contamination of protective glass by the products of destruction of the outer surface materials of spacecraft, thermal cycling, radiation electrization, and plasma thrusters plumes.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 4, 2005, pp. 274–282.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shuvalov, Kochubei, Gubin, Tokmak.