Space Environment Simulation

Testing thermal and mechanical characteristics of the equipment used in space.

It is important to simulate extraterrestrial environmental conditions as accurately as possible in order to design, develop and test spacecraft, telescope mounting systems and satellites. Laboratories that simulate space conditions have depressurized chambers with sub-zero temperatures and vacuum environments to expose equipment to all the harsh conditions expected in space.

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Extraterrestrial PV testing

Most space crafts and satellites require maintaining and generating power while operating in the upper atmosphere/ space.

Concentrated photovoltaic testing (CPV)

Concentrated photovoltaics use lenses and curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto extremely efficient, multi junction solar cells in order to produce electrical power.

Sciencetech has previously developed solar simulator systems that can be operable in such environment chambers which simulate the upper atmosphere and space conditions. Most notably, these solar simulators can be used:

Within or directed into a vacuum chamber

Within low pressure environments

In sub-zero temperature conditions

In clean rooms

At the heart of the solar simulator system, a xenon arc lamp is used to produce sunlight that matches closely with the sun’s spectrum. The wattage of the system plays a key role in determining the illumination area.

Homogenizing optical components in the solar simulator will provide highly uniform, stable illumination and our proprietary optical designs will also ensure a highly collimated output.

Key features of the solar simulator:

1) AM0 spectral match
2) Irradiance at the target to be one solar constant
3) Irradiance at the target 1380 W/m2 (one solar constant at AM0 spectral match)
4) Class A spatial non-uniformity
5) Class A spectral match (AM0)
6) Class A temporal stability (less than 0.5%)
7) Collimation half angle 0.7° or lower
8) Variable incident angle of the solar light to mimic orbital movements

Extraterrestrial PV Testing

Most satellites and spacecrafts operating in the inner solar system depend on the power conversion of sunlight to electricity for propulsion control of the system. Sunlight is converted to electricity to power sensors, regulate temperature within the system and full fill other power requirements to run spacecrafts and satellites in space.

Photovoltaic devices and solar cells used for such purposes often require stringent testing before being installed in spacecrafts or satellites. Any solar simulators used to mimic the sun light to test these photovoltaic cells require simulation of spectral characteristics, irradiance and other key parameters expected in the space environment.

One solar constant for AM0 spectral match, high collimation and high spatially uniformity of the simulated beam is some of the key characteristics often required from solar simulators. Sciencetech has designed and developed solar simulators for such photo voltaic testing requirements. Discuss with us further for your specific equipment needs related to space environment simulation.