Nebula Public Library

Light-trapping helps enhance the light absorption in space solar cells and hence enables their thickness to be reduced to increase the radiation hardness. We have optimised light-trapping structures (LTS) inspired in the diatom frustule and moth’s eyes. As a solar cell reference, we use the commercial 3G30C model from Azure Space Solar Power GmbH. We have developed a physical model to describe the solar cell absorption and derive the efficiency. The optical description relies on the Fourier modal method and the solar cell performance on the detailed balance limit.

The main scope of this activity was to foster the exchange of expertise between the European Lidar Network (EARLINET) and Latin America Lidar Network (LALINET), and demonstrate the capability of joint research, setting the groundwork for GALION (The Global Atmosphere Watch Aerosol Lidar Observation Network) and future calibration/validation of ESA’s atmospheric satellite missions such as Aeolus and EarthCARE.

This purpose of the study was to develop a high frequency radar to sound the first tens of metres of asteroid regolith and to achieve 3D tomography with metric resolution in order to
- Determine its structure and layering
- Identify geomorphological elements (rocks, boulders, etc.) embedded in the sub surface
- Map the spatial variation its texture
- Derive an estimate of dielectric permittivity of the sub-surface material

The main goals of the DPEM project was [RD1] "to set the foundations for the development of a comprehensive suite of near surface dusty plasma environment models applicable in particular (but not only) to airless bodies of interest for future exploration missions such as asteroids, the Moon, Phobos and Deimos, etc … These models shall allow the definition of charged dust environment specifications to assess the effects of dusty plasmas on near surface or surface exploration units (spacecraft, payload, lander, astronaut) in a surface-spacecraft-dust environment system."