Description

The solar cells that we were planning on using: https://satsearch.co/products/azur-space-triple-junction-solar-cell-3g30c-advanced-8-by-4-cm ended up being about twice as expensive as they had quoted us last year. As a result, we need to either

1. find something cheaper that will behave very similarly or
2. find enough similar alternatives that are all just as/more expensive so that we can justify paying this much

Your job is to “shop around” for cubesat grade PV cells and make a table comparing their structural, electrical, logistical characteristics. Some things to keep in mind are:

• it’s a good idea to learn about PV cells before you start so that you get a better idea what characteristics are good to include in your comparison table
• you probably won’t be able to find the price of any cubesat cells because the companies want us to contact them for a quote. That’s fine, if you assemble a list, I can contact them for the price myself.
• generally speaking, cubesat PV cells will be the same trapezoid shape as the one above. Here are some pictures of UTAT’s satellite that just launched, Heron with its solar panels on the outside faces. You obviously can’t tell from just a photo, but the dimensions of there are the same as our old ones.

Tasks

A list of sequential tasks for the project. The project is complete when all tasks are complete

• [x] Find links for the following cells:

I found this 2023 NASA report reviewing the state-of-the-art for Small Sat/Cube Sat parts (including solar cells). I figure we should probably get quotes for as many of their recommendations as we can. Can you guys see how many of these parts you can find links for?

Table from page 33-34 of this pdf: https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/sst-soa/

AZUR Space

The main link for their website:

– SPACE Solar Cells - AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH