Title :
LIPS III - A solar cell test bed in space
Author :
Severns, J.G. ; Hobbs, R.M. ; Elliott, N.P. ; Towsley, R.H. ; Conway, R.W. ; Virshup, G.F.
Author_Institution :
US Naval Res. Lab., Washington, DC, USA
Abstract :
The LIPS III satellite, which was launched into a 1100-km circular orbit of 60 degrees inclination in the spring of 1987, is discussed. LIPS III is a member of the living-plume-shield class of spacecraft, all of which were built around a simple sheet metal plume deflector. The purpose of LIPS III was to provide a testbed for space power sources. An overview of the LIPS III system is given, and the experiments submitted for it, all but one of which were photovoltaic in nature, are described.<>
Keywords :
artificial satellites; photovoltaic power systems; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; test facilities; 1100 km; 1987; AlGaAs; GaAs; InGaAs; InP; LIPS III satellite; Si; concentrators; living-plume-shield; photovoltaic; solar cell test bed; space power sources; spacecraft; Laboratories; Lips; Photovoltaic cells; Satellites; Sensor arrays; Space heating; Space vehicles; Sun; Testing; Waste heat;
Journal_Title :
Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE
