On-orbit characterization of space solar cells on nano-satellites

The Aerospace Corporation has been building, testing, and flying miniature satellites in the pico-and nano-satellite class for over a decade. Significant advances have been made to the bus avionics unit and other satellite subsystems during this time. The advances have enabled various on-orbit tests and experiments, one of which has been to host space solar cell experiment payloads. Recent solar cell flight experiments on Aerospace's CubeSats (AeroCubes) demonstrated several subsystems can simultaneously operate to obtain precise measurements of space solar cell performance. Low cost, rapid return CubeSat missions can be valuable development tools for advancing the readiness level of space technologies.