How do solar panels work on spacecraft in deep space?
Quick Answer
They convert sunlight into electricity with photovoltaic cells, but they become less effective the farther a spacecraft is from the Sun. Beyond the inner Solar System, many missions rely more on radioisotope power than on solar panels.
The Full Story
Spacecraft solar panels work by turning sunlight into electrical power using photovoltaic cells, just like many terrestrial systems. However, sunlight weakens rapidly with distance, following the inverse-square law, so panels that work well near Earth produce much less power farther out. That is why missions to the outer Solar System often use radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs, which produce electricity from heat released by radioactive decay. Solar-powered craft have still explored far from the Sun, including missions like Juno around Jupiter, but they must carry very large arrays or use special power strategies.
Key Facts
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