Solar Array Inverted-Gradient Discharge Mitigation Device

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-2309.vid

This paper describes a device and system designed to discharge inverted gradient potentials developed on spacecraft solar arrays. A microfabricated electron emission device, along with control and monitoring electronics, is able to mitigate the charging effects and constrain the potential difference between the solar array and satellite frame to tens of volts, preventing the occurrence of damaging primary and secondary arcs. The results of laboratory experiments that successfully demonstrate this concept are presented.