Session
Weekend Session III: Science/Mission Payloads Research & Academia 1
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells are an emerging technology that holds the promise of reducing the size and weight of solar panels on satellites. While many research laboratories have produced perovskite solar cells and characterized their performance in laboratory conditions, few have endeavored to launch them into space. The Big Red Sat-1 (BRS-1) is one such satellite, designed to incorporate three different perovskite solar cell architectures along with custom curve tracing instrumentation for launch into low earth orbit through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative. The curve tracer is realized using a precision resistor ladder with high quality current and voltage measurements. Perovskite solar cell samples were fabricated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and characterized in their facilities before shipment. These cells were recharacterized using flight hardware before integration into the Nanoracks launcher. In addition to the eighteen perovskite solar cell pixels, a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell was included to trigger measurements when the BRS-1 is pointing at the sun. During nominal operations, the BRS-1 will continuously take J-V curves while the GaAs solar cell is illuminated and will be in a low power state otherwise. Future missions should include a sun vector sensor for precise solar flux measurements, active curve tracing for dark current measurements, and explore alternative perovskite solar cell architectures including tandem cells. All designs for BRS-1 have been made open source to benefit other student-led missions. BRS-1 is currently in-orbit and transmitting measurement data.
Big Red Sat-1: Mission Overview and Future Opportunities for Perovskites in Low Earth Orbit
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Perovskite solar cells are an emerging technology that holds the promise of reducing the size and weight of solar panels on satellites. While many research laboratories have produced perovskite solar cells and characterized their performance in laboratory conditions, few have endeavored to launch them into space. The Big Red Sat-1 (BRS-1) is one such satellite, designed to incorporate three different perovskite solar cell architectures along with custom curve tracing instrumentation for launch into low earth orbit through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative. The curve tracer is realized using a precision resistor ladder with high quality current and voltage measurements. Perovskite solar cell samples were fabricated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and characterized in their facilities before shipment. These cells were recharacterized using flight hardware before integration into the Nanoracks launcher. In addition to the eighteen perovskite solar cell pixels, a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell was included to trigger measurements when the BRS-1 is pointing at the sun. During nominal operations, the BRS-1 will continuously take J-V curves while the GaAs solar cell is illuminated and will be in a low power state otherwise. Future missions should include a sun vector sensor for precise solar flux measurements, active curve tracing for dark current measurements, and explore alternative perovskite solar cell architectures including tandem cells. All designs for BRS-1 have been made open source to benefit other student-led missions. BRS-1 is currently in-orbit and transmitting measurement data.
