Rapid Thermal Cycling of New Technology Solar Array Blanket Coupons

Abstract

NASA Lewis Research Center is presently conducting thermal cycle testing of new solar array blanket technologies. These new technologies include test coupons for Space Station Freedom (SSF) and the Advanced Photovoltaic Solar Array (APSA). The objective of this testing is to demonstrate the durability or operational lifetime of the solar array interconnect design and blanket technology within a low earth orbit or geosynchronous earth orbit thermal cycling environment. The paper presented describes the test chamber, test articles, performance evaluation, and test results of the thermal cycling of the solar array blanket coupons.