Thermal Orbital Performance of the Hubble Space Telescope Solar Arrays

The NASA Hubble Space Telescope was launched in April 1990 with the ESA/BAE Solar Arrays. In December 1993, the in-orbit Servicing Mission was performed which included the replacement of the original pair of arrays.

This paper provides an overview of the thermal design and performance aspects of these arrays throughout this enterprise including one of the design modifications to reduce the disturbance caused by the thermal transient behaviour of the array bi-stems at entry and exit from eclipse.

Some aspects from the above experience are noted for reference for the future.