Study of atomic oxygen effect on solar array materials and qualification and protection of silver busbars used in technology experiment satellite (TES)

Technology experiment satellite (TES) is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecrafl launched by the Indim Space Research Organization (ISRO) into a nominal orbit of 560 km, 98.69 degree inclination, equatorial crossing time of 10.30 a.m. in October 2001. The effect of atomic oxygen for this orbit was studied using MSIS-86 model, which revealed the vultierabili~ of silver busbars, kaptori, and carbon and epoxy material. Protective coating methodology was evolved for silver busbars and the durability was established by testing. The protective coatings for kapton and CFRP are being developed by ISRO s Vikram Sarabai Space center (VSSC). Since these coatings were not evaluated on-orbit, it was decided to use aluminum face skin for the TES array. The analysis, testing and evaluation of protective coating on TES are described in the paper. The TES solar array had no detectable problems due to atomic oxygen effect till date.