Torsional Buckling of the Hubble Space Telescope Solar Arrays

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Earl A. Thornton ◽  
David L Eby ◽  
Peter W. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Torsional Buckling ◽  
Buckling Loads ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Linear Elastic ◽  
Solar Arrays ◽  
Buckling Behavior ◽  
Open Cross Section

The buckling behavior of a flexible rolled-up solar array used on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is investigated analytically and experimentally. Analytically, the solar array is modeled assuming the booms are linear, elastic beams of open cross-section, and the solar blanket is represented as an inextensible membrane. The analyses determine critical buckling loads for flexure and torsion. The behavior of the solar array is also investigated by experiments conducted using a model solar array with (1) closed cross-section booms, and (2) tubular booms like those used on the HST. The analyses and experiments show that the Hubble's solar arrays were deployed with a preload that caused them to buckle in torsion. Based on the study, an hypothesis is suggested for the failure of the solar array's booms that was discovered by the astronauts in 1993.

Solar Effects on Tensile and Optical Properties of Hubble Space Telescope Silver-Teflon Insulation

2006 ◽  
Vol 929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim K. de Groh ◽  
Joyce A. Dever ◽  
Aaron Snyder ◽  
Sharon Kaminski ◽  
Catherine E. McCarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Solar Absorptance ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Arrays ◽  
Solar Exposure

ABSTRACTDuring the fourth servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the second set of solar arrays (SA-II) was replaced with a third set and the SA-II was brought back to Earth. A section of the retrieved SA-II solar array drive arm (SADA) multilayer insulation (MLI), which experienced 8.25 years of space exposure, was provided to NASA Glenn Research Center for environmental durability analyses of the top layer of silver-Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (Ag-FEP). Because the SADA MLI had solar and anti-solar facing surfaces and was exposed to the space environment for a long duration, it provided a unique opportunity to study solar effects on environmental degradation of Ag-FEP, a commonly used spacecraft thermal control material. Therefore, the objective of this research was to characterize the degradation of retrieved HST SADA Ag-FEP with particular emphasis on solar radiation effects. Data obtained included tensile properties, solar absorptance, surface morphology and chemistry. The solar facing surface of the SADA was found to be extremely embrittled and contained numerous through-thickness cracks. Tensile testing indicated that the solar facing surface lost 60% of its mechanical strength and 90% of its elasticity while the anti-solar facing surface had ductility similar to pristine FEP. The solar absorptance of both the solar facing surface (0.155 ± 0.032) and the anti-solar facing surface (0.208 ± 0.012) were found to be greater than pristine Ag-FEP (0.074). Solar facing and anti-solar facing surfaces were microscopically textured, and locations of isolated contamination were present on the anti-solar surface resulting in increased localized texturing. Yet, the overall texture was significantly more pronounced on the solar facing surface indicating a synergistic effect of combined solar exposure and increased heating with atomic oxygen erosion. The results indicate a very strong dependence of degradation, particularly embrittlement, upon solar exposure with orbital thermal cycling having a significant effect.

scholarly journals Solar-array-induced disturbance of the Hubble Space Telescope pointing system

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlton L. Foster ◽  
Michael L. Tinker ◽  
Gerald S. Nurre ◽  
William A. Till
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Space Telescope

Debris production from solar array surface impact spallation: Results from the Hubble Space Telescope

1997 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D. Griffiths ◽  
J.A.M. McDonnell ◽  
G. Drolshagen
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope: Solar arrays delivered to NASA

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 (106-107) ◽  
pp. 91-92
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Arrays

scholarly journals The Hubble Space Telescope

1990 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Albert Boggess
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Spherical Aberration ◽  
Scientific Performance ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Kennedy Space Center ◽  
Solar Arrays ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Kennedy Space ◽  
Initial Check

AbstractThe Hubble Space Telescope was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 24, 1990. Its initial check-out indicates that all sub-systems of the satellite are working very well, with two key exceptions: The line-of-sight pointing is subject to occasional jitter apparently induced by thermal stresses in the solar arrays; this is expected to be overcome. The telescope mirrors are found to contain approximately 0.5 wave rms of spherical aberration which cannot be overcome by any controls on board the satellite. This defect will limit the scientific performance of the telescope in the short run. However, the aberration can be fully corrected in the optical designs of future replacement instruments, and the delivery schedules of these instruments are being accelerated.

The chemical composition of micrometeoroids impacting upon the solar arrays of the Hubble Space Telescope

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.T. Kearsley ◽  
G.A. Graham ◽  
J.A.M. McDonnell ◽  
E.A. Taylor ◽  
G. Drolshagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Arrays

Hubble Space Telescope Solar Array Concerns and Consequences for Servicing Mission 2

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24
Author(s):  
Steven A. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Space Telescope
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