Cheops Solar Cell Assemblies Life Test

Abstract

Life tests are performed to determine the stability of solar cell assemblies under worst case operation conditions for long duration. This test is part of the qualification programme to which solar cell assemblies are submitted according to ECSS standards. This paper presents the test set-up configuration (recently implemented in the European Space Power Laboratory), test conditions and test results obtained of the solar cell assembly life test performed under the ESA CHEOPS satellite programme.