Power produced analysis of solar arrays in nadir pointing mode for low-earth equatorial micro-satellite conceptual design

We analyse the power produced by solar arrays in low-earth equatorial Micro satellite conceptual design. The micro-satellite will be designed to be operated in nadir pointing mode, 1200 km of altitude, and equatorial orbit with 0 degree of inclination. Based on the profile, the mission of the satellite is operated suitably as LEO type communication satellite. To support the mission, the satellite needs to consider how much power provided from power resource; in this case, the satellite has solar arrays to obtain the power. Furthermore, the micro-satellite also has the body mounted solar array configuration, and these arrays are installed at the Z-, X+, and X- side of the satellite. However, to estimate the power output from the arrays, there are some problems that must be concerned, the first is the nadir pointing mode that makes the satellite must be pointed to nadir, and it causes the sunlight vector do not perpendicularly come into the solar arrays surface. The second problem is the sun position (equinox and solstice) that changes periodically throughout the year. Then, both can produce losses in producing power from the solar arrays. In this paper, the differences in produced power are analysed. Then the power produced in the Z-, X+, and X- sides in the two specific sun position become estimated. After that, we determine and analyse the ratio between average produced power and the maximum power produced.