Session
Technical Session VIII: Frank J. Redd Student Competition
Abstract
A critical facet of CubeSat fabrication is solar panel characterization and assembly. Though capable of producing flight quality solar subsystems, traditional methods of solar panel fabrication contain intrinsic inefficiencies and inconsistencies that compromise the subsystem’s overall reliability. Taking Michigan Exploration Laboratory’s (MXL) heritage solar panel procedures as a case study, this investigation sought to streamline the solar panel fabrication process to increase its yield, cost effectiveness and consistent production. Four main aspects of solar panel fabrication were targeted for improvement, specifically: solar cell tabbing, solar cell stringing, solar cell adhesion to the substrate and cell coverglass integration. Through synthesizing best practices and procedures, a robust process was developed that greatly increases panel manufacturability and performance. This procedure was verified via various methods including vibration testing and thermal-vacuum testing and will be implemented on MXL’s upcoming TBEx CubeSat mission.
Streamlining CubeSat Solar Panel Fabrication Processes
A critical facet of CubeSat fabrication is solar panel characterization and assembly. Though capable of producing flight quality solar subsystems, traditional methods of solar panel fabrication contain intrinsic inefficiencies and inconsistencies that compromise the subsystem’s overall reliability. Taking Michigan Exploration Laboratory’s (MXL) heritage solar panel procedures as a case study, this investigation sought to streamline the solar panel fabrication process to increase its yield, cost effectiveness and consistent production. Four main aspects of solar panel fabrication were targeted for improvement, specifically: solar cell tabbing, solar cell stringing, solar cell adhesion to the substrate and cell coverglass integration. Through synthesizing best practices and procedures, a robust process was developed that greatly increases panel manufacturability and performance. This procedure was verified via various methods including vibration testing and thermal-vacuum testing and will be implemented on MXL’s upcoming TBEx CubeSat mission.
