S93-E-5087
June 15, 2011
Astronauts Catherine G. (Cady) Coleman, and Michel Tognini look at the lightweight flexible solar array hinge (LFSAH) on Columbia's middeck. LFSAH consists of several hinges fabricated from shape-memory alloys, which allow controlled, shockless deployment of solar arrays and other spacecraft appendages. The LFSAH is expected to demonstrate the deployment capability of a number of hinge configurations during the flight. Hinges are the primary mechanism used to deploy spacecraft solar arrays, which are folded and stowed for launch.
Topics:
Environment, Technology Internet, Hinge, Photovoltaic array, Door furniture, STS-93, Michel Tognini, Spaceflight, Space exploration, Coleman, Columbia
