A pico-class satellite has limitation to generate power from the solar cells due to its limited accommodation area to install the solar cells. The variation of incidence angle between solar panels and sunlight induced by the revolution and rotation of the satellite is one of the key parameters to determine the power generation. In this study, we proposed a concentrating photovoltaic system for pico-class satellite applications to enhance power generation when the b angle between the sunlight and the solar panel is zero by effectively concentrating solar energy on solar panels. The feasibility of the conceptual idea has been demonstrated by power measurement test using solar simulator and commercial multi-array lens system.

A cubesat classified as a pico-satellite typically uses commercial-grade components that satisfy the vibration and thermal environmental specifications and goes into mission orbit even after undergoing minimum environment tests due to their lower cost and short development period. However, its reliability exposed to the physical environment such as on-orbit thermal vacuum for long periods cannot be assured under minimum tests criterion. In this paper, we have analysed the reliability and life prediction of the failure mechanisms of the cubesat mission board during its service life under the launch and on-orbit environment by using the sherlock software which has been widely used in automobile fields to predict the reliability of electronic devices.