processing large area solar arrays from incoming raw materials and parts through final system deployment test. Two key elements of the manufacturing process, the roll laminator which assembles the Kapton, copper and photo resist preparatory to photo etching the printed circuit and the automated weld station, are shown in Figs 11 and 12. The weld station operates automatically with an X/Y table used to position the welds and a closed loop control system which terminates each weld at a preset weld temperature. Weld parameters are stored on tape for future reference should later inspections reveal anomalies. The operators load the panels for welding and observe the weld operation through a closed circuit TV, overriding the operation if they observe any abnormal occurrences such as misalignment of the weld head. This facility, now in full production on two programs, provides us with the capability to produce in a reasonable manufacturing cycle the over 1300 solar panels required for the space station, plus the requirements of the related platforms in a reliable, repeatable process. Conclusion The series of developments discussed herein, the result of long-term cooperation between three NASA centers and a number of contractors, has resulted in a solid technology base for the Space Station Freedom solar array as well as for numerous other present and future large solar array applications. Although many individual
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