Development of a Novel, Passively Deployed Roll-Out Solar Array

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) *Air Force Research LaboratorySpace Vehicles 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORTKirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 NUMBER(S) AFRL-VS-PS-TP-2006-1002 DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. (VS06-0011) SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESSubmitted to IEEE Conference, Big Bend, MT, Feb 06 Government Purpose Rights 14. ABSTRACT Advanced solar arrays capable of generating greater than 50 kW of total power, at power densities greater than 250 W/kg, are required for many future Air Force missions. The largest heritage systems are limited to less than 15 kW of total power, at roughly 50 W/kg. The Roll Out and Passively Deployed Array (RAPDAR) design will demonstrate the feasibility of 50 kW, 250 W/kg-class solar array systems through an innovative design that takes full advantage of the latest advances in thin-film photovoltaic and TEMBO® Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) deployment technologies. The use of solar energy to passively deploy the array further improves the overall system efficiency. The present paper addresses the development and validation of detailed designs for the RAPDAR (patent applied for) structural system. Specific focus is placed on the development and validation of the EMC longerons, which are the primary structural members for the RAPDAR system controlling packaging and deployment, and providing primary stiffness and strength to the deployed system. The paper includes results from both analysis and testing of EMC longerons that demonstrate deployment and shape-storage capacity. Abstract -Advanced solar arrays capable of generating greater than 50 kW of total power, at power densities greater than 250 W/kg, are required for many future Air Force missions. The largest heritage systems are limited to less than 15 kW of total power, at roughly 50 W/kg. The Roll Out and Passively Deployed Array (RAPDAR) design will demonstrate the feasibility of 50 kW, 250 W/kg-class solar array systems through an innovative design that takes full advantage of the latest advances in thin-film photovoltaic and TEMBO SUBJECT TERMS

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“…DINO Sat aero fin deployment process [144]. orbit [176][177][178][179]; the deployment processing is illustrated in figure 18 [177].…”

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