Experimental study on laser-induced arc discharge characteristics of spacecraft high-voltage solar array

With the expanding application of the high-energy laser technology in space, the risk of laser-induced arc discharge in large-area solar arrays has become a significant concern, posing a substantial threat to spacecraft safety. In this study, based on the charging and discharging phenomenon of high-voltage solar array in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) plasma environment, combined with the theory of laser induced plasma, the mechanism of laser induced arc discharge is analyzed. The power density threshold and volt-ampere characteristics of laser-induced arc discharge of solar array with different string spacing are measured experimentally, and the morphological evolution characteristics of laser-induced arc discharge are captured by the high-speed video camera. The rapid response Langmuir four-probe method and colorimetric temperature measurement method are used to diagnose the discharge plasma. The influence of laser energy on the discharge plasma and the evolution characteristics during the discharge process are obtained. This study can provide important reference for the research of laser-induced arc discharge characteristics and protection design of spacecraft high-voltage solar array.