Development of a Passively Deployed Roll-Out Solar Array

Abstract

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Shape memory polymers and their composites in aerospace applications: a review

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

“…Solar arrays are the main energy generation subsystems in space-deployable structures to obtain energy in space and are commonly packaged in the vehicle before launch; once in-orbit, the solar array is released to deploy and collect energy, and its work efficiency is dependent on a large deployment area, reliable stiffness and lightness of weight. Today, solar array structures have different forms, such as rigid, semi-rigid and flexible types [173][174][175][176][177][178][179].…”

“…In the above-mentioned structures, the deployment of solar arrays and panels are actuated by SMPC hinges; the deployed cells are limited and relatively small, so the power output is appropriate to space mission. Due to these drawbacks, another kinds of solar array, called Roll-out And Passively Deployed solar ARray (RAPDAR), has been developed by CTD [176][177][178]. In brief, RAPDAR consists of two EMC longerons/booms and several pieces of thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar arrays, in which the booms actuate the solar array deployment and become the support structures of the solar array, as illustrated in figure 17 [176].…”

“…Due to the lower power-conversion efficiency compared with other kinds of solar arrays, the RAPDAR requires larger deployable areas to provide an equal total energy [177]. The use of EMC material can overcome this drawback, as demonstrated in the STEM boom section; similarly, the booms can be stowed before launch in the high-temperature state and the structure can be released and deployed by temperature or current, once in orbit [176][177][178][179]; the deployment processing is illustrated in figure 18 [177].…”

“…stiffness and lightness of weight. Today, solar array structures have different forms, such as rigid, semi-rigid and flexible types[173][174][175][176][177][178][179].…”