Flight Results of Arcing Experiment Onboard High-Voltage Technology Demonstration Satellite Horyu-2

The High-Voltage Technology Demonstration Satellite Horyu-2 is a nanosatellite (30 cm cubic shape, 7 kg) developed by the Kyushu Institute of Technology. It is known that high-voltage power generation above 200 V in low Earth orbit induces arcing. The main mission of Horyu-2 is to demonstrate various high-voltage technologies. The satellite was launched on 18 May 2012 to the sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 680 km. The satellite succeeded in generating 350 V of photovoltaic power via a specially designed solar array. Using the generated voltage, experiments on arc inception on various types of solar arrays were conducted. The solar arrays tested consisted of a conventional design and two new designs that aimed at preventing arc inception. They were connected to the negative end of a 350 V solar array circuit. A semiconductive cover glass coating was the most effective at preventing arcing. Covering the solar array with a transparent film was effective at low latitudes but it suffered arcs at higher latitudes near the polar region.