Solar array design and technology development for Mars exploration mission

The time frame of those Aurora missions does not allow the early development of alternative technologies. Indeed, fuel cells and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) for instance require too many technology developments within Europe and/or too stringent political issues due to the nuclear issues at launch. It was considered much more affordable to further develop, improve and optimise current power conversion efficiency of solar cells for Mars exploration missions which lead to the activity considered here. On top of that, new materials leading to better efficiency (activity W20) are required but will not overcome the whole issue if they are not addressed together with the solar array configuration.

This activity performed a preliminary design of a new configuration (body-mounted or deployable) of solar arrays capable to withstand the harsh Mars environment based on the results of the parallel ongoing activity regarding solar cells materials. The main Mars environment criticalities are addressed to refine the different models, especially, the atmospheric model. Two different mission scenarios are being evaluated (Lander and rover). Besides this work, dust removal/mitigation devices turn out to be necessary in the frame of long-tern stays of rovers on the Martian surface. Those mechanisms are addressed and breadboarded within this activity.

This activity is directly applicable to ExoMars that will take many advantages out of it. Within the next few years, it is deemed essential to implement this activity within this robotic mission that will make full use of those new solar cells to increase the rover’s life span, daily operational time - especially for the power-demanding locomotion system and drill system - and mechanism capabilities.

Executive Summary

Download the SAMM Executive Summary (PDF file - 4 832 KB) »»