: TacSat-4 is an experimental Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications satellite that launched o... more : TacSat-4 is an experimental Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications satellite that launched on a Minotaur IV+ from Kodiak, Alaska on September 27, 2011. The spacecraft and ground capabilities are briefly described for context. The integration, testing, launch processing, early flight operations, and initial end user results are then discussed. Unique approaches and lessons learned are highlighted. For example, the launch powered off approach used to test new Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) bus standards worked particularly well, and had several benefits during launch processing. The ORS Office is leading the Joint Military Utility Assessment of the TacSat-4 mission.
The TacSat-4 spacecraft flies in a highly elliptical, 4-hour orbit, passing through proton and el... more The TacSat-4 spacecraft flies in a highly elliptical, 4-hour orbit, passing through proton and electron radiation belts 12 times per day. The TacSat-4 Solar Cell Experiment (TSCE) measures I-V curves on two, 3-cell strings of triple-junction cells, in flat-plate and concentrator configurations. Two additional triple-junction cells are measured at short circuit, testing a replacement cover glass technology. This paper reports on the first two years of experiment operations.
ABSTRACT The TacSat-4 spacecraft carries a solar cell experiment characterizing a string of 3 tri... more ABSTRACT The TacSat-4 spacecraft carries a solar cell experiment characterizing a string of 3 triple-junction 1-sun solar cells and a string of triple junction solar cells under a flexible, linear Fresnel lens providing approximately 6 times solar concentration. TacSat-4 flies in a highly elliptical, four hour orbit, passing through proton and electron radiation belts 12 times per day. The damage to solar cells in this environment is severe. In this paper we examine the solar cell damage rates of the two solar cell strings.
: TacSat-4 is an experimental Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications satellite that launched o... more : TacSat-4 is an experimental Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications satellite that launched on a Minotaur IV+ from Kodiak, Alaska on September 27, 2011. The spacecraft and ground capabilities are briefly described for context. The integration, testing, launch processing, early flight operations, and initial end user results are then discussed. Unique approaches and lessons learned are highlighted. For example, the launch powered off approach used to test new Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) bus standards worked particularly well, and had several benefits during launch processing. The ORS Office is leading the Joint Military Utility Assessment of the TacSat-4 mission.
The TacSat-4 spacecraft flies in a highly elliptical, 4-hour orbit, passing through proton and el... more The TacSat-4 spacecraft flies in a highly elliptical, 4-hour orbit, passing through proton and electron radiation belts 12 times per day. The TacSat-4 Solar Cell Experiment (TSCE) measures I-V curves on two, 3-cell strings of triple-junction cells, in flat-plate and concentrator configurations. Two additional triple-junction cells are measured at short circuit, testing a replacement cover glass technology. This paper reports on the first two years of experiment operations.
ABSTRACT The TacSat-4 spacecraft carries a solar cell experiment characterizing a string of 3 tri... more ABSTRACT The TacSat-4 spacecraft carries a solar cell experiment characterizing a string of 3 triple-junction 1-sun solar cells and a string of triple junction solar cells under a flexible, linear Fresnel lens providing approximately 6 times solar concentration. TacSat-4 flies in a highly elliptical, four hour orbit, passing through proton and electron radiation belts 12 times per day. The damage to solar cells in this environment is severe. In this paper we examine the solar cell damage rates of the two solar cell strings.
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Papers by Jim Barnds