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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Study of SEP solar array modifications. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6291406
The feasibility of modifying the solar electric propulsion (SEP) 66 watt/kilogram, 12.5 kilowatt solar array blanket design to incorporate ultra-low mass blanket technology and to generate conceptual design data by modifying the SEP solar array design to 17.5kW power output was performed. Five modified designs were developed, which substituted present SEP solar array design components with one or more of 50 micrometers thick solar cells, 75 micrometers cell coverglasses, and a different blanket substrate developed by GE. A parametric analysis was performed to determine the solar array mast least weight and blanket tension required to maintain a minimum natural frequency of 0.04 Hz. The solar array wing assembly weights and power outputs were calculated, and preliminary cost estimates for flight hardware development, fabrication and qualification were made for each case studied.
Research Organization:
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (USA). Electrical Power Systems Dept.
OSTI ID:
6291406
Report Number(s):
N-78-30659
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English