Bibcode
Perez, Juan
Referencia bibliográfica
37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 13-20 July 2008, in Montréal, Canada., p.2390
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2008
Número de citas
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Número de citas referidas
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Descripción
High altitude scientific balloons have been used for many years to
provide scientists with access to near space at a fraction of the cost
of satellite based or sounding rocket experiments. In recent years,
these balloons have been successfully used for long duration missions of
up to 40 days. Longer missions, with durations of up to 100 days (Ultra
Long), are in the planning stages. Due to the flight durations, solar
power systems have been utilized throughout the Long Duration Balloon
(LDB) flight program to power the necessary electronic systems.
Recently, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers have
become available off-the-shelf. These controllers along with high
efficiency mono-crystalline solar cells have become reliable, low cost
solutions even in the harsh environments they operate in. The LDB
program at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) began
supporting solar power systems with custom units fabricated by the
Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) of New Mexico State University (NMSU).
These charge controllers proved to be very reliable systems; however,
they required intensive labor to build and were relatively expensive. As
off-the-shelf MPPT charge controllers have become available, they have
been integrated into the LDB flight support systems. Coupled with PSL
developed interface electronics for monitoring and power switching, they
have proven to be as reliable, less expensive, and more efficient. The
addition of MPPT allows for the controller to operate the solar panel at
it highest power production point. Newer, off-the-shelf controllers with
smarter MPPT, are currently being tested. This paper describes the long
and ultra-long balloon missions and the role that solar power plays in
mission success. More importantly, it discusses the recent developments
in off-the-shelf MPPT charge controllers configured for use in the harsh
high altitude balloon environment.