Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Jan 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997aipc..387..123r&link_type=abstract
Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97). AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 387, pp. 123-130 (1997).
Statistics
Applications
Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, Solid-Vapor Transitions, Antennas: Theory, Components And Accessories, Composition, Particle Emission, Solar Wind
Scientific paper
The continuing development of new spacecraft technologies promises to enable the Solar Probe to be the first mission to travel in the atmosphere or corona of the sun. The most significant technology challenge is the thermal shield that would protect the spacecraft from the flux of 3000 suns (400 W/cm ** 2) at the perihelion radius of 4 solar radii while allowing the spacecraft subsystems to operate at near room temperature. One of the key design issues of the shield is not simply surviving, but operating at temperatures well above 2000K while minimizing the sublimation from the shield surface. Excessive sublimation could cause interference with the plasma science experiments that are fundamental to the Solar Probe's scientific objectives of measuring the birth and development of the solar wind. The selection of a special type of carbon-carbon as the shield material seems assured at this time. Tests of this material in late 1996 were designed to confirm its optical surface properties and mass loss characteristics and the results are encouraging. The shield concept incorporates dual functions as a thermal shield and as a large high gain antenna. This latter function is important because of the difficult communications environment encountered within the solar corona. A high temperature feed concept under development is discussed here. The NASA guideline requiring non-nuclear power sources has introduced the requirement for alternative power sources. The current concept uses high temperature photovoltaic arrays as well as high energy, low mass batteries to provide power during the perihelion phase of the mission. Testing of photovoltaic cells at high sun angles was completed in 1996 and the results are presented here. Finally, a miniaturized science payload which relies on the latest advances in analyzer and detector technologies will be developed to minimize mass and power requirements.
Ayon Juan A.
Dirling Ray B.
Harvey Geoffrey D.
Imbriale William A.
Miyake Robert N.
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