Atomic oxygen and electrostatic-resistant, flexible structure for space applications

摘要

A flexible space structure such as a solar array is composed of multiple solar cell modules (SCMs) each supporting an arrangement of solar cells on a frontside layer and incorporating a backside layer with a surface opposite from the frontside layer having a conductive coating. A selected portion of the SCMs have structural ground extension harnesses intermediate the frontside layer and backside layer. Conductive tapes secure vertically adjacent SCMs by attachment to the conductive coating and electrical jumpers interconnect the structural ground extension harnesses across gapped hinge lines of laterally adjacent SCMs.

主权项

1. A solar array comprising:
a plurality of solar cell modules (SCMs) each supporting an arrangement of solar cells on a frontside layer and incorporating a backside layer with a surface opposite from the frontside layer having a conductive coating, a selected portion of said plurality of SCMs having a structural ground extension harness intermediate the frontside layer and backside layer; conductive tapes securing vertically adjacent SCMs by attachment to the conductive coating; and electrical jumpers interconnecting of the structural ground extension harnesses of laterally adjacent SCMs in the selected portion of SCMs across gapped hinge lines.