Hughes 702 concentrator solar array

The first commercial satellite with trough configuration concentrators was successfully deployed in January of 2000. The satellite is a Hughes 702 series built by Hughes Space and Communications Company (HSC). The concentrators consist of large thin film sheets held at their four corners and positioned at an angle on both sides of each solar panel. The sheets are tensioned by spring elements at each corner and accurately positioned with respect to the panel with tether cords. During launch, the reflectors are compressed, folded and stowed to the backs of the panels. As the wing slowly deploys, the reflectors are released at specific wing shape configurations and then rotate into position. The resulting configuration produces about 1.8X the solar energy incident onto the panel and a net power amplification of 1.4 to 1.5. The first on-orbit deployment was captured on video and was completely nominal. The power output was within the predict range