Hughes Electronics Corporation

John A Fabbri

George N Young

Charles P Rubin

A constrained solar array (24) for a satellite (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The solar array (24) includes a superstructure (30) with solar cells (80) mounted thereon to provide power to a main satellite body (22) and instruments mounted thereon. A flexible tensile member (40) extends relative to the superstructure (30) and is placed under tension to place the solar array (24) in a constrained condition which reduces thermal transients in and increases the bending frequency of the solar array (24). Preferably, a pair of support arms (34,36) are cantilevered from the superstructure (30). The flexible tensile member (40) pulls upon the support arms (34,36) to apply bending moments to the superstructure (30) to maintain the solar array (24) in a distorted shape. The method includes heating one surface of the solar array (24) to thermally deform or bow the solar array (24) and then constraining the bowed solar array using a flexible tensile member (40) to prevent the solar array (24) from returning to its original configuration when the heat is removed from the solar array (24) during an eclipse.

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Chatsworth, CA, United States of America

John A Fabbri