EVALUATION OF ESD EFFECTS ON SOLAR ARRAYin Different Space Missions

Abstract

This paper studies the electrostatic discharge effects on solar arrays in different orbits. This paper starts with a statistical overview of solar array failures and their relations with ESD events. Then the space environmental conditions and their impacts on ESD occurrence are discussed for the most commonly used orbits for satellite missions. Spacecraft charging phenomena and different modes of charging are studied further in the paper. Finally the effects of ESD events on the elements and subassemblies of solar arrays are investigated.