Analytic representation of space solar array scaling performance

Abstract

Advances in space solar arrays have historically been measured against metrics such as stowed volumetric efficiency and specific power. Technical investment against these metrics has resulted in increased photovoltaic efficiency and reduced structural mass. While these simple metrics provide a useful means for comparing arrays of equivalent power levels, they imply scaling linearity and do not capture the impact of important array design parameters, necessary details for objective wing comparisons and scaling projections. The proposed solution augments traditional design assessment metrics by quantifying system level behavior from a structural perspective. Two new parameters are presented herein—the mass equation and the scaling index. The mass equation estimates wing areal mass density for given changes in performance parameters—acceleration loading, fundamental frequency, and deployed area—and component properties affect array mass. The scaling index serves the slightly different purpose of quantifying the scaling performance for direct comparison of competing designs. Both parameters are developed to represent an ideal flexible blanket array of rectangular form, constructed as a system of beam and tensioned blanket components. Practical application of these parameters is shown by quantifying mass scaling of a wide range of array sizes, geometric forms, column types, column quantities, blanket mass densities, acceleration loading, fundamental frequency requirements, and cell efficiencies. One of the findings is that reducing array aspect ratio has just as much of an effect on array mass as increasing cell conversion efficiency.