APPENDIX C APPLICATION OF STATION-KEPT ARRAY CONCEPTS TO SATELLITE SOLAR POWER STATION DESIGN1 INTRODUCTION During FY 75 NASA Study 2. 5 (Contract NASW-2727), The Aerospace Corporation conceived a technique for building large devices in orbit without requiring the large structures inherent in single satellite designs. In this concept the required large structure is divided into a number of physically separate segments, each individually station-kept and oriented and so controlled that the combined operation of all the segments, taken as whole, proposes to be indistinguishable from that of an equivalent single monolithic structure. A company-funded detailed analytical investigation of the concept led to the premise that it has potential application to the design of large satellite solar power stations and served as a base for the present effort. STUDY OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to assess the feasibility, practicality, and implications of segmenting the large satellite solar power station structural assemblies. Solar photovoltaic and solar powered Brayton systems are examined and power levels of 5 GW and 10 GW are considered. STUDY APPROACH Five generic concepts were identified for assembling large satellite solar power stations: 1. A rigid, monolithic structure in which bending, compression, tension, and thermal loads are transmitted throughout the structure from one section to another. 2. A structural array made up of individual segments joined by hinged or universal joints which are capable of transmitting tension on compression loads but not bending loads. 1. Synopsis — NASA/MSFC Contract No. NAS8-31842.
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