Solar Array Drive Mechanisms

Applications

♦ Low and high power

♦ GEO and LEO

Main features

♦ Solar array orientation

♦ Compatible with a large range of
flexible or rigid solar arrays
♦ Power and signal transfer
♦ Full rotation capability
♦ Low mass
♦ Double insulation
♦ Easy customisation ATV SADM
♦ Compatible Drive electronics
(SADE) available. The ATV Solar Array Drive Mechanism is composed of :
♦ Flight proven
♦ A drive unit which includes a stepper motor and a
potentiometer for angular feedback (fully redundant)
Production ♦ A slip-ring based on gold/gold technology
♦ Mechanical and thermal interfaces specially
♦ Capacity : 20/year developed for LEO applications with high shock
♦ Typical schedule : 12 months levels.

Performances
Background
♦ Power Lines : 8 x 3.5 A
♦ Voltage : up to 100V
Among key programs:
♦ Signal Lines : 10 of 0.5A
♦ Step size : 0,12°
♦ ESA Automatic Transfer Vehicle
♦ Temperature range :
(ATV), 20 models ordered (12
launched) Solar Array : -90°C / + 100°C
Spacecraft : -10°/+45°C
♦ Thales Alenia Space Telecom
♦ Lifetime : qualified for 25 000 cycles (higher lifetime
Spacecraft product line (28 in flight)
achievable)
♦ Mass < 3 Kg
♦ Thales Alenia Space constellations,
178 models ordered (36 in flight)
 The Low Power Solar Array Drive Mechanism is
composed of :
♦ A drive unit which includes a stepper motor and a
potentiometer for angular feedback (fully redundant)
♦ A slip-ring based on gold/gold technology
♦ A reset switch
♦ Mechanical and thermal interfaces specially
developed for GEO applications

Performances
♦ Power Lines : 18 x 5 A (BOL)
♦ Voltage : up to 100V
♦ Signal Lines : 22 of 0.5A
♦ Step size : 0,12° (0,001875° µsteps)
GEO SADM Low Power ♦ Temperature range :
Solar Array : -60°C / + 75°C
Spacecraft : -20°/+45°C
♦ Lifetime : qualified 15 000 rev. (higher lifetime
achievable)
♦ Mass < 4,5 Kg

The High Power Solar Array Drive Mechanism is

composed of :
♦ A drive unit which includes a stepper motor and a
potentiometer for angular feedback (fully redundant)
♦ A slip-ring based on gold/gold technology
♦ A reset switch
♦ Mechanical and thermal interfaces specially
developed for GEO applications

Performances
♦ Power Lines : 20 x 7,5 A (BOL)
♦ Voltage : up to 100V
GEO SADM High Power
♦ Signal Lines : 32 of 1A
♦ Step size : 0,12° (0,001875° µsteps)
♦ Temperature range :
Solar Array : -70°C / + 100°C
Spacecraft : -40°/+60°C

♦ Lifetime : qualified 15 000 rev. (higher lifetime

achievable)
♦ Mass < 4,5 Kg

LEO/GEO SADM Low power
TAS SADM Design Standards
Double insulation of collector and protection
against arcing:
The TAS SADM current design is fully
compliant with these requirements through
the development of mechanical barriers
inside the slip ring collector.
Labyrinth seals have been implemented
inside the SADM design to prevent
penetration of external contamination.
Additional precautions have been taken
during assembly to prevent contamination
of the sensitive SADM components
through specific dedicated area in the
mechanism clean room assembly.
This datasheet is not contractual and can be changed without any notice.
For further information, please contact
Thales Alenia Space France
Equipment Sales Department
26 avenue J.F. Champollion
B.P. 33787
31037 Toulouse Cedex 1
France
Tél.: + 33(0)5 34 35 36 37
Fax: + 33(0)5 61 44 49 90
Website : www.thalesaleniaspace.com
The Low Power Solar Array Drive Mechanism is
composed of :
♦ A drive unit which comprehends a stepper
motor and a potentiometer for angular
feedback (fully redundant)
♦ A stepper motoreducer sub assembly
♦ A slip-ring based on gold/gold technology
♦ Connectors I/F adapted to optimized Solar
Array integration
Performances
♦ Power Lines : 8 x 5 A
♦ Voltage : up to 120V
♦ Signal Lines : 18 of 1A
♦ Sep size : 0,003°
♦ Temperature range :
Solar Array : -80°C / + 100°C
Spacecraft : -40°/+55°C
♦ Lifetime : to be qualified for 90 000 rev
♦ High Production Capability
♦ Mass < 3,5 Kg
♦ Reduced exported loads
Lubrication :
TAS SADM are using preferably solid
lubrication to avoid any evaporation problem
links to this high dissipative equipment.
Motorisation :
TAS SADM are designed to comply with ECSS
motorisation margins considering SA, P/F and
internal SADM worst cases.
Thermal Analysis :
TAS SADM thermal analysis are made
considering all the cross-coupling between
internal and external environments as well as
the internal dissipative current variations. These
thermal cases are used for qualification of
components as well as thermo elastic
calculations.
Updated September 2012