PCsat is magnetically stabilized about its Z axis so the orientation of the +/- Z panels is according to the Earths Magnetic Field vector at each point in space. We have been working with Johann Lochner, ZR1CBC of the SUNSAT Team, who has developed a model of PCsat's orbit with respect to the Earths Field so that the total effects of Solar incidence angles can be predicted. These graphics compare our actual telemetry data to his orbital model.

The Z orientation of PCsat is important beacuse PCsat has its best Solar panels on the +Z face, and its -Z panels failed on launch. Thus, the incidence effect is significant to the overall PCcsat power budget.

In the following graphic Johann took our telemetry file (blue) and overlayed the results of his magnetic model (red) to show the effective area of the X and Y side panels. The predominant factor here is the Eclipse cycle due to precession of the orbit around the Earth since these panels are equally exposed due to a <1 RPM rotation about the Z axis.

Day 150 is about 1 March - 200 is about 18 April - 250 is about 8 June

The next graphic shows the contribution of the +Z face only. By day 1 April (180) we should be getting maximum contribution from the +Z panels. But this is of course 90 deg out of phase with the XY contribution. But the +Z panel has 50% better cells. Notice the overall improvement as the Sun moves towards Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

March 10 (day 160) is when our whole-orbit power budget went negative...

This final graphic shows the combined effect of all working faces of PCsat. The worst case was about 1 April (180) and by 20 April (200) we should have a period of good Sun.

The next full sun period will begin about 5 June (245) after going through another minimum about 20 May (Dayton HAMvention weekend)(230). ALthough PCsat will be seeing better Sun in late April, it is doubtful if it will ever recover to normal operations due to the hundreds of deep cycle discharges the batteries have experienced since the power budget went negative in mid March.

PCsat is capable of operating while in the Sun, but the worst case peak power of transmitting a packet (about 20 Watts DC) is greater than the peak power available from the solar panels even in full sun (7W), so batteries are always required to provide the 1 Second peak current for a successful packet. Once PCsat's batteries are completely worn-out, even transmitting one packet will cause a power drop and a RESET. This scenario will be the final end of PCsat's usefull life.