The extendable and retractable mast as supporting tool for rigid solar arrays
Abstract
The Extendable and Retractable Mast (ERM) was developed to deploy and retract large foldable structures like solar arrays. By adequate choice of the interfaces between solar array and ERM it is possible to deploy, position, and retract large rollable or foldable, rigid, or flexible solar arrays up to the 40 m deployment range. Since for the attachment of rollable and foldable solar arrays only a tip and base interface on the ERM is necessary, different configurations providing intermediate attachment points along the mast were investigated to deploy and retract rigid solar array panels also.
- Publication:
-
Photovoltaic Generators in Space
- Pub Date:
- November 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986pvgp.symp..377S
- Keywords:
-
- Deployment;
- Folding Structures;
- Retractable Equipment;
- Rigid Structures;
- Solar Arrays;
- Spacecraft Power Supplies;
- Booms (Equipment);
- Extensions;
- Space Storage;
- Engineering (General)