DocumentCode
3711227
Title
UltraFlex and MegaFlex - Development of highly scalable solar power
Author
David M. Murphy;Michael I. Eskenazi;Michael E. McEachen;James W. Spink
Author_Institution
Orbital ATK, Space Systems Group, Space Components Division, 600 Pine Avenue, Goleta, California, 93117, USA
fYear
2015
fDate
6/1/2015 12:00:00 AM
Firstpage
1
Lastpage
8
Abstract
This paper reviews the application history of UltraFlex solar power technology and the recently demonstrated evolution of the mechanical platform into MegaFlex to support higher power level applications. A MegaFlex wing employs UltraFlex technology enhanced to enable very high-power solar electric propulsion (SEP) missions through the introduction of spar-folding joints and associated extension panel hinges. These advances allow stowage for launch in an even more compact volume with the important (stowed length) dimension significantly reduced. The subject development activity was successful in rapidly maturing MegaFlex to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5+ to support near-term 30-50 kW SEP applications along with extensibility to 300-500 kW and beyond.
Keywords
"Arrays","Assembly","Fasteners","Space vehicles","NASA","Hardware"
Publisher
ieee
Conference_Titel
Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2015 IEEE 42nd
Type
conf
DOI
10.1109/PVSC.2015.7355945
Filename
7355945
Link To Document