Electrodynamic Dust Shield on Lunar Solar Arrays

Goal: To quantify the impact of adding the electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) technology on top of state of the art solar cells. Capability Need/Knowledge Gap: These solar panels may have the ability to retract and redeploy during different mission phases and on multiple missions. Dust accumulation on the solar cells can damage the cells and array during retraction or cause system failure. The objectives of the program are to acquire EDS films on solar cell coverglass, to test the performance of the solar cells with and without the EDS film, to test the environmental durability of the solar cells with the EDS coverglass through thermal cycling (at lunar conditions) and to demonstrate dust removal from the solar cells. It is not known if the addition of the EDS film on top of these solar cells will reduce the current for any of the junctions which would reduce overall cell performance. State-of-the-Art/Knowledge: State of the art space solar cells have between 3 and 5 semiconductor junctions connected in series within one device. These multijunction devices are well tuned to the space solar spectrum to optimize performance with each junction providing a similar current to the overall device. Key Technical Challenges: Matching solar cells and readily available EDS coated glass; understanding the impact of the EDS film on cell performance and to balance that with dust cleaning performance. Approach/Research Plan: (1) Apply patterned EDS to coverglass interconnected solar cells; (2) Expose cells to Lunar dust, complete testing of cells with EDS; and, (3) Conduct optical simulations of the impact of various EDS patterns on solar cell performance. The overall plan for this project is expected to be straightforward and expanded in scope based on early results. Initially, state of the art space solar cells will be acquired and covered with EDS coated glass. This project will begin with measuring previously developed EDS films placed over state of the art solar cells. The EDS film will be tested at elevated temperatures that would be expected on the lunar surface. The data produced from these tests will be analyzed and shared with the project collaborators to refine the EDS film and develop new coverglass samples. We expect to iterate this process multiple times throughout the program. Next Step: A plan to incorporate the EDS/solar cell device onto a future commercial lunar lander will be developed, and consideration will be given to full solar array design utilizing EDS and extensibility to the Mars surface environment.

These efforts differ significantly from this work in that terrestrial systems use single junction silicon solar cells and are less concerned with the mass of thicker glass. There is little research in the community to transition the EDS technology to space photovoltaics. This project supports the STMD Strategic Thrust “Live: Lunar Dust Mitigation.” From Gateway to the lunar surface and back, there is a high likelihood that dust will adhere to the solar panels.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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