| Summary
The Light Weight Flexible Solar Array (LFSA) is a lightweight
photovoltaic solar array system. The unique new technology
features of the LFSA are the use of copper indium diselinide
(CulnSe2 or CIS) solar cells on a flexible substrate
and use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for the hinge and
deployment system. Each of two panels is approximately
5 in. wide by 18 in. long. The LFSA is deployed by heating
the SMA hinges. Photographs of the deployed LFSA assembly
and a SMA hinge are shown below.
Combination of the CIS solar cell, flexible substrate,
and SMA technologies can provide significant improvement
in power to weight ratios. In addition, the SMA provides
a shockless deployment environment that can mitigate
adverse spacecraft dynamics effects during deployment
and is also much safer than conventional solar array
systems using conventional pyrotechnics for deployment.
The goal of the LFSA technology is to achieve greater
than 175 Watts/kg power efficiency ratios compared to
conventional solar arrays that provide less than 40
Watts/kg. |
