Scoping array automation [space power]

A baseline is provided for the establishment of both a design philosophy and approach for the development of an autonomous space power solar cell array. The type of degradation or failure discussed is limited to natural causes. These are due to changes over time in the performance of devices and those indiced by space radiation, debris, and other space environmental extremes such as thermal cycles. The types of problems to be expected, the sensors required to identify these problems selectively, the compensation or correction proposed for these problems and the need for on-array computer control to implement these solutions are discussed