Functional and Dynamics Testing of the Flexible Solar Array for the Communications Technology Satellite

This paper describes the test objectives, test methods, thermal environmental simulations, and test results, for a series of combined dynamic, thermal, and vacuum environmental tests on a Deployable Solar Array for the Communications Technology Satellite. Six major resonant structural modes were observed over an excitation range of 0.1-1.0 Hz. Corresponding modal damping factors were found to be between 0.001 and 0.01. Variation of temperature environments between -125°C and 42°C did not significantly affect the characteristics of the fundamental modes, but did influence some of the higher modes. Superharmonic response behavior was observed. The tests also verified functional mechanical performance of the solar array under thermal and vacuum conditions.