BEXUS 23 OSCAR: Solar Cell I-V Monitoring System for Space Environments

Abstract

Novel thin film solar cells exhibit unprecedented specific power, which is a key figure of merit for space applications. To get a first indication of their possible degradation in space environments, the OSCAR (‘Optical Sensors based on CARbon materials’) team has built a solar cell performance monitoring system and deployed it on the BEXUS 23 flight. This paper reports the design, testing and performance of said system. Our system performed impeccably over its 4h mission course, maintaining communication and reliably reporting solar cell I-V curves. It forms a guideline for anyone who needs to measure millivolts and microamperes in similar conditions, monitor solar cells on remote locations or wants to follow up on degradation of thin film solar cells in space.