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Mini-Review Article

Progress in Zero-gravity Unloading Test and System Research of Solar Wing

Author(s): Zemiao Hou, Qiu Li*, Yuemin Wu, Qiang Yu* and Hongfei Liang

Volume 18, Issue 8, 2024

Published on: 09 October, 2023

Article ID: e091023221893 Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/0118722121259461230925103843

Price: $65

Abstract

Aim: The solar wing undertakes the important task of providing energy for spacecraft. The deployment test of the solar wing in a zero gravity environment using a zero gravity system on the ground is an important link to ensure the safe and stable deployment of the solar wing in space. This article briefly describes the development process and research progress of solar wings, introduces the ground zero gravity test methods and test platforms for solar wings, including some patents for improving the ground zero gravity test platform for solar wings, and points out some urgent problems that need to be solved in the zero gravity unloading test and system at present.

Background: The solar wing needs to be deployed in the weightlessness environment of space before working.

Objective: The objective of this study is to summarize the zero gravity experimental methods and systems of solar wings, introduce their categories, characteristics, and development.

Methods: This article summarizes various scientific research achievements in the zero gravity test of solar wings, and introduces the advantages and disadvantages of the zero gravity test method of solar wings.

Results: This article analyzes the zero gravity test methods for solar wings, compares them among various test methods, analyzes the main problems in their development, and looks forward to the development trend of zero gravity test methods for solar wings.

Conclusion: Although research on zero-gravity unloading test systems for solar wings is continuously advancing, there are still several technological bottlenecks that need to be overcome in terms of system precision, payload capacity, dynamic simulation, method optimization, diversifying zero-gravity test methods and system universality for different types of solar panel unloading.

Graphical Abstract

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