Radiation Resistance Tests of Solar Cells for Space Applications

The radiation resistance of space technology components is gaining importance nowadays. This trend is related to the development of new approaches to the construction of small satellites, the so-called CubeSat, whose creation is often caused by already renowned and space-based companies, but on the contrary, scientific research organizations or consortia of smaller private companies, universities, and schools. The increasing demand for satellite durability, stability, and lifetime, as well as the lowest purchase price, emphasizes the use of readily available but also proven durable components within a range of expected functional conditions. Research Centre Řež, Ltd, tests components for resistance to gamma and neutron radiation. And since the tests themselves often bring many surprises to scientists themselves, this article brings a small tasting of new solar cell endurance results for space applications under the influence of gamma and neutron radiation.