Transparent CNT coatings for solar array and spacecraft charging applications

Abstract

The adverse effects of spacecraft charging, electro static discharging (ESD), and solar array arcing in plasma environments as well as solar array design features resultant thereof are well studied and not further explored in this extended abstract. Modern and future spacecraft and space solar array designs both necessitate the need for, and enable the development of, lightweight, cost effective, and novel charge mitigation methods [1]. Transparent Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) coatings may offer a cost effective and technically equivalent (or superior) alternative to the multilayer Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) / Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) coatings presently utilized on some high altitude (GEO and MEO) solar array coverglasses (CG) [2]. CNT based coatings may offer a discriminatory advantage in cost since they can be applied at ambient conditions by simple coating methods such as dip coating and spray methods. The feasibility of transparent CNT CG coatings and tolerance to space environmental conditions has been recently explored [3, 4]. The present study characterizes solar array performance and surface charging performance for higher level assemblies fabricated with transparent CNT coatings. Results presented herein may represent the first published results of this type for CNT coated space solar array CICs.