The paper describes the implementation of space experiment Albedo, which provided a framework for developing methods of taking into account the radiation emitted by the system «atmosphere–underlying terrain» in simulations of the operation of the power supply system of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. As a result of the implementation of the space experiment a procedure was developed for determining and using characteristics of radiation coming from Earth in the simulation of a space station power supply system, including procedures and special software for determining solar array performance and simulating power input coming from solar arrays taking into account Earth albedo, as well as recommendations are given for the control modes of power supply systems of orbital spacecraft. As a result of testing computational schemes for evaluating the solar array performance and simulating electric power output that takes into account the Earth albedo, substantiated values were obtained for the proposed reference parameter for evaluating the performance of solar arrays of the Service Module of the International Space Station.
Key words: Russian Segment of the International Space Station, solar arrays, electric power input, solar array performance estimate, radiation coming from Earth, albedo.
Atomic Oxygen Durability Testing of an International Space Station Solar Array Validation Coupon
