Mir returned solar array

摘要

In November 1997 a segment of a solar array wing from the Mir Space Station was removed from the Core Module and stored on the exterior of the Russian space station. NASA mission STS-89 returned it to Earth for analysis in January 1998. The panel spent a total of 10.5 years on-orbit attached to the Core Module. This paper describes the construction of the wing and panel, the measured performance, the performance losses and probable causes of the performance losses. Contamination was a major concern with the array since it was on a manned vehicle. The losses due to contamination, radiation, micrometeoroid and orbital debris (M&OD) have been assessed. The actual loss from each degradation factor is discussed for comparison and reference for future LEO missions.