A solar array (50) for a spacecraft (10), comprising a solar concentrator that is provided with photovoltaic cells and reflective areas configured for reflecting solar radiation towards the photovoltaic cells, wherein the reflective areas and the photovoltaic cells are provided on opposite surfaces of concentrator reflector sheet members (56) that are repositionable from a retracted state wherein the concentrator reflector sheet members are in a substantially flat arrangement, to a extended state wherein the concentrator reflector sheet members are raised to allow the reflective areas to reflect solar radiation towards the exposed photovoltaic cells. Alternatively or in addition, the solar array may comprise a support panel, which may be at least partially flexible for retaining the support panel in a bent panel shape when the solar array is in the stowed state fixed at a position near a body of the spacecraft.
SOLAR PANEL WITH FLEXIBLE OPTICAL ELEMENTS
SOLARPANEEL MIT FLEXIBLEN OPTISCHEN ELEMENTEN
PANNEAU SOLAIRE AYANT DES ÉLÉMENTS OPTIQUES SOUPLES
2017-03-08
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS |
ASSEMBLY OF FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANEL FOR EXPANDABLE AWNING
Europäisches Patentamt | 2021
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