Advances in the development of photovoltaics for space applications in Argentina

M. ALURRALDE,; M. BARRERA; C.G. BOLZI; C.J. BRUNO; P. CABOT; E. CARELLA; J. DI SANTO; J.C. DURÁN; J. FERNÁNDEZ VÁZQUEZ; A. FILEVICH; C.D. FRANCIULLI; E.M. GODFRIN; V. GOLDBECK; A. IGLESIAS; M.G. MARTÍNEZ BOGADO,; E. MEZZABOLTA; A. MOGLIONI; C. NIGRI; S.L. NIGRO; F. PALUMBO; J. PLÁ; I. PRARIO; M.C. RAFFO CALDERÓN; S.E. RODRÍGUEZ; H. SOCOLOVSKY; M.J.L. TAMASI; A. VERTANESSIAN

Milan, Italia

Conferencia; 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 2007

WIP-Renewable Energy

This paper presents the advances performed during the last two years in the development of the solar arrays for the Argentine satellite missions. These activities are done within the frame of a cooperation agreement between the Argentine National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and the Argentine National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE), which is addressed in these first stages to SAOCOM and SAC-D satellites. Actions developed in the more relevant issues (simulation and design, solar cells characterisation, set up of soldering and bonding processes, radiation damage testing, development of devices and techniques for testing) are reviewed. New features in the design of a chamber for testing solar cells and other satellite devices in simulated space environment are also presented. Finally, the integration and testing of the second engineering module constructed for qualifying the technology are described.