Qualification test results for blue-red reflecting solar cell covers and other new products for the solar power market

The use of GaAs as a primary cell type in production space photovoltaic power applications and the concern about the effects of space charging on spacecraft has spurred the development of new solar cell cover products. Included in these products are covers, using innovative optical design methodologies, that significantly reduce the solar absorptance for a cell array; matched expansion coefficient glasses for use as the substrate material for covers; and conductive covers and thermal control mirrors for space charge bleed-off. This paper discusses the space environmental test results for these new products.