AM0 Filter

Space Solar Panel Testing

This involves testing the efficiency and durability of solar cells (photovoltaics) that will be used to power satellites, rovers, or space stations. Because there is no atmosphere in space to absorb sunlight, engineers must use an AM0 filter to see exactly how much power the solar panels will generate when they are actually in orbit.

Recommended light source:

• Xenon Arc Lamp: This is the industry standard because its raw light naturally provides the closest match to the real sun. When you put an AM0 filter in front of it, it perfectly mimics the harsh, unfiltered light of outer space.
• LED Solar Simulator: These are becoming very popular because they are highly customizable, run cooler, and last a long time. You can tune the specific colors of the LEDs to perfectly match the space spectrum and see how different layers of a space solar panel react.

Space Material Degradation Testing

This is the process of testing how raw space sunlight affects the materials used to build spacecraft. The unfiltered sun in space has intense ultraviolet (UV) rays that can quickly bleach, crack, or destroy spacecraft paints, thermal blankets, optical lenses, and plastics. Engineers use the filter to simulate years of space travel in a matter of weeks to ensure the materials won't break down.

Recommended light source:

• Xenon Arc Lamp: Because Xenon lamps naturally produce a strong amount of UV light (just like the real sun), they are excellent for testing how fast materials will fade or break down in the harsh environment of space.
• Metal Halide Lamp: These lamps are great for testing larger materials or larger sections of spacecraft components. They are very efficient at producing a massive amount of intense, broad light, making them useful for large-scale degradation testing.