Satellite Solar Panel Deployment

The solar panel deployment mechanism includes two parts see fig.

Satellite solar panel deployment.

Solar array panels of a satellite must be locked at an intended position in order to perform its mission successfully as the electric power source of a satellite. Each panel contains between 800 and 1 200 solar cells. This paper presents an innovative method to control the rotational speed of a satellite solar panel during its deployment phase. A brushed dc motor has been utilized in the passive spring driven deployment mechanism to reduce the deployment speed.

The array measures 18 8 feet long and 9 2 feet wide and it consists of four solar panels. A test bed for the solar panel deployment testing has been developed supporting the solar array during deployment reproducing the dynamical situation in orbit. This article presents the modeling simulation and assessment of deployment and locking operations of satellite flexible solar panel using ansys and adams software. 1 an active hinge which provides the kinetic energy of deployment by two redundant torsional springs 2 a passive hinge which controls the rotational speed by means of a brushed dc motor and undergoes locking in the intended position when the solar panel deployment phase finishes.

Materials and methods the satellite is modeled by considering the main body and two yokes which connect the main body and two adjacent panels as rigid bodies and solar panels are modeled as flexible bodies. Excess power charges the satellite s battery which is used when the gpm core isn t in direct sunlight. Paris the intelsat is 19 satellite launched may 31 has failed to deploy one of its two solar arrays intelsat announced late june 1 an anomaly that has affected other space systems loral. The results of the deployment system testing are discussed including the design and realization of the test bed the mechanical stress given to the solar cells by the deployment accelerations and the overall system performance.