Software for the Rapid Comparative Design of Solar Arrays

Proposed is a piece of extendible software for the rapid preliminary design and comparative evaluation of different solar array structures, equipped with modules for two cutting-edge array architectures of special interest for up to medium-large (lt;300 m2) applications such as near-term Lunar missions. nbsp;The software, based on the Microsoft Excel platform, will run on any computer with MS Office fully installed.nbsp; It will consist of (a) a main user interface where different solar array designs can be compared via graphics and parameters, (b) worksheet modules for the design and evaluation of specific array architectures, and (c) quot;under the hoodquot; code blocks hidden from the user.nbsp; The two array architectures to which the program will be readily applicable when the effort completes are the Compact Telescoping Array (CTA) and the UltraFlex design.nbsp; Other options can be included later, with additional program modules. nbsp;The product will be user friendly, well documented, and ergonomically designed with adaptive graphics and other features visually aiding the user.nbsp; Its computational engine will employ classic as well as innovative symbolic, numeric, and hybrid techniques.nbsp; It will assess key performance metrics (to evaluate stiffness, strength, and packaging performance).nbsp; It will allow and guide design with a hierarchical (component to system) approach for space, and for gravity with upright array orientation.nbsp; Data to aid modeling for advanced numerical analysis (FEA) will also be output.