Title :
The X-ray Multi Mirror (XMM-Newton) power system [spacecraft power]
Author :
Haines, J.E. ; Jackson, B. ; Gerlach, Lukas
Author_Institution :
European Space Technol. Centre, Eur. Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Abstract :
The XMM-Newton X-ray observing astronomy mission, which is a prime component of ESA´s scientific spacecraft programme for the new century, was launched by Ariane-504 from French Guiana on the 10th of December 1999. It was injected into a highly elliptical, 834 km×113990 km orbit, having an inclination with respect to the equator of 40°. The spacecraft was built in Europe by an industrial team led by Dornier Space Systems (DSS) of Friedrichshafen, Germany with the onboard instruments provided by scientific institutions. The technical paper describes the XMM-Newton power system topology, its equipment characteristics and the early inflight operations. In addition two novel features related to the design of the electrical power system for XMM-Newton are reported in the technical paper, these being the implementation of a surface conductive network for the cover glasses of the solar cells and the extensive use of telecommandable and resettable latching current limiters (LCLs) for payload failure protection and ON/OFF switching
Keywords :
current limiters; photovoltaic power systems; power distribution protection; secondary cells; solar cell arrays; space vehicle power plants; 113990 km; 834 km; ON/OFF switching; X-ray Multi Mirror spacecraft power system; XMM-Newton X-ray observing astronomy mission; cover glasses; electrical power system; equipment characteristics; inflight operations; latching current limiters; payload failure protection; power system topology; solar cells; surface conductive network; Aerospace industry; Astronomy; Decision support systems; Electrical equipment industry; Europe; Industrial power systems; Mirrors; Power system protection; Power systems; Space vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit, 2000. (IECEC) 35th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Las Vegas, NV
Print_ISBN :
1-56347-375-5
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.2000.870690
