Solar array conceptual design for the Halley's Comet ion drive mission, phase 2

Conceptual design studies were performed directed toward a high power, ultralightweight solar array, compatible with the requirements for the Halley's Comet Ion Drive Mission. A planar, rollup array design concept capable of producing 120 kW at 1 AU and 6 kW at 4.5 AU, and a concentrator, rollup array design concept capable of producing 60 kW at 1 AU and 15.5 kW at 4.5 AU evolved. Both arrays make maximum use of thin film, lightweight technology. The Halley's Comet spacecraft and mission requirements developed from preliminary definition to a more finalized and mature design. As solar array requirements were updated, conceptual design iterations were necessary to keep pace with the rapidly changing program objectives and goals. The Halley's Comet Mission program status and design approaches were reviewed and more realistic power requirements at 4.5 AU for the ion engines were established at the 12 to 16 kW range. This higher power necessitated a change from the planar array design to a concentrator array design in order to remain within suitable cost and weight objectives.