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View File - University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila

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2.8 SATELLITE POWER SYSTEMSA key constraint on satellites is power. Solar or radioactive materials canpower the satellite transponder. Due to the inherent risk <strong>of</strong> nuclear fuel, solarenergy power becomes attractive. The next section looks at the design <strong>of</strong> asimple power system using solar energy.We know that at a distance <strong>of</strong> one astronomical unit (1 AU)—the me<strong>and</strong>istance between the sun <strong>and</strong> the earth—the sun delivers an energy flux <strong>of</strong>about 1370 W=m 2 (the solar constant). If we are able to harness the sun’senergy, we will be able to develop a power source for the satellite. By rule-<strong>of</strong>thumb,the power source may be defined asP s ¼ A a Z m a f e l k sð2:53ÞwhereP s ¼ effective solar system power (w).k s ¼ solar constant ¼ 1370 W=m 2 .A a ¼ solar array area required for the cells ¼ l b ðm 2 Þ.a f ¼ loss factor for uncovered (unused) array area. It is practicallyimpossible to cover all areas <strong>of</strong> the array panel with solar cells (Fig.2.19). Gaps between cells do not produce power. Also, at certainFIGURE 2.19Plan view <strong>of</strong> a solar panel.Copyright © 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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