The analogue experiment of small space debris impact inducing solar array discharge

Abstract

High density and conductivity plasma will be induced when space debris impacts with spacecraft. The plasma can lead to a temporary discharge tunnel and triggering discharge. This has been reported as the mechanism of space debris impact inducing discharge and might be a big threat to spacecraft. The solar array is of vital importance to spacecraft and is regarded as vulnerable to space debris impact inducing discharge. Research of space debris larger than 1 mm impact solar array discharge has already carried out. Space debris smaller than 1 mm are predominant and will impact with spacecraft more frequently compared to space debris larger than 1 mm. If the impact of such debris with solar array can induce discharge, the threat will be more serious. However, the study of space debris smaller than 1 mm impacting solar array inducing discharge has not been reported. In this paper, the analogue experiment of smaller than 1 mm space debris impact solar array inducing discharge is carried out. Our results show that the space debris with 200 μm in diameter can trigger solar array discharge. If the voltage is high and the discharge current is large enough, secondary discharge can be triggered too. The discharge can make noticeable mechanical damage on the surface of solar cells.