Research on Abnormal Output Current Drop of Solar Array of a Low Earth Orbit Satellite

This article describes the phenomenon of the abnormal output current drop of a solar array (SA) of a low Earth orbit satellite. All possible failure causes were analyzed in detail and the most likely reason was determined to be an open-circuit in solar cell interconnectors. The failure mechanisms were comprehensively analyzed from three aspects: solar cell replacement process, erosion of atomic oxygen, and thermal fatigue. The analysis results were verified by corresponding ground tests. For the on-orbit failure, a solution to slow down the output current drop of SA was given and verified to be effective by ground remote control operations on the satellite on orbit. The improvement measures for the development of SAs to avoid the output current drop are also proposed.