New concentrator technology experiment on a geosynchronous satellite

A flight experiment has been planned to study the suitability of a new concentrator solar array technology for satellite applications. This paper describes the design and testing of the experiment. By the end of March 2002, Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) completed the testing of the flight coupon panel under various space environment conditions. The experiment has been integrated on the spacecraft and completed thermal vacuum, dynamics, and acoustic testing at the spacecraft level successfully in November 2002. The experiment will fly on a geosynchronous satellite scheduled for launch in June 2003.