DEVELOPMENT OF PVA AND BLANKET TECHNOLOGIES FOR SATURN MISSIONS SOLAR ARRAYS - EXPRO+ - RE-ISSUE

ObjectivesTo develop fully European PhotoVoltaic (PVA) and Blanket technologies that can be used on a Solar Array for deep space missions to Saturn.DescriptionLarge solar arrays are currently being developed for telecommunication and scientific missions. Recent examples include the semi-rigid ENEO array, the fully flexible SolarFlex array of the Novacom 2 telecommunications satellite and the rigid array of the JUICE mission to Jupiter. With a high specific power, such arrays lend themselves for use in exploration missions. Feasibility studies have demonstrated that missions to Saturn, fully powered by solar arrays, are indeed feasible. In a recent development activity, the feasibility of a solar array architecture scalable up to 100 m2 per wing and with the capability to retract and re-deploy, to protect the array from damage, has been successfully demonstrated. In the frame of this study, the development of PVA and Blanket frame technologies suitable for the Saturn environment has been indicated as the main focus point for further development of suchsolar array architecture. Saturn environment places demanding requirements on PVA and Blanket technologies: the PVA shall be capable to supply power at very low temperatures and Sun intensities,and the blanket shall be lightweight yet strong enough to support the PVA and to sustain the large temperature range of a Saturn mission. Also, the blanket structure interface shall allow smooth deployment/retraction operations. The activity therefore encompasses the following tasks: Investigation into actual PVA LILT technologies and potential adaptations for its use on a Saturn mission (e.g. reduced thickness) Definition of blanket and blanket frame design, to act as PVA support and able to cope with the required temperature range Demonstration via mechanical and electrical analyses of the suitability of the selected design for the Saturn mission Demonstration of the suitability of the selectedtechnologies for the Saturn mission by means of thermal cycling and vibration tests of a representative Blanket segment (PVA and blanket) mock-up Identification of development needs Preparation of a roadmap