Development of a novel, passively deployed roll-out solar array

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/spl reg/ 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.