How serious is the ISS solar panel tear?

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Testing

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I would say it depends on getting it free from what I think is a "meat hook" from the guide wire. Then they may be able to patch with Kapton tape available on board. If a man can get to it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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scottb50

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Where I see it torn it might be unequal pull from the guide wires, but not the guide wires themselves ripping the structure. Maybe unequal pulling on each end. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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Testing

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Fan fold ala old style printer paper.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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willpittenger

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That's what I thought. I don't see how something like that could tear. Break? Yes. But not tear. I expected something that folds up as you described to be thicker so it would resist unwanted creases and would only fold at the hinges. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>
 
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usn_skwerl

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Imagine something like perforated printer or stamp paper between two sheets of perforated tissue paper. I think it resembles that...sort of. Not literally. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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Testing

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These are not ridgid panels. Kapton or Mylar skins encasing the array elements. They derive thier rigidity from the edge guy wires and tension pulling them flat, also the hinges or folds. The guy wires alternate thru grommets over one under the next hinge point at the edges. It appears that something snagged, what I have no certanty. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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docm

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In an interview with one of the astronauts this morning it was stated that the guy wire originally suspected was not the cause. Back to the drawing board <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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willpittenger

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I know. But I would never expect something that flexible to fold up just because you push it. To much chance of the "paper" folding mid-panel. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>
 
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willpittenger

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So what prevents the panels from folding in mid-panel? Nothing? As I already noted, you can't just push it and expect it to neatly fold up unless the panels are stiff enough. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>
 
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willpittenger

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The entire thread is about the solar cells. Others have stated the panel, cells and all, are as flexible and thin as paper. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>
 
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holmec

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<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>guy wire<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />or did you mean "guide wire"? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
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holmec

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I'm sure theres some interesting "lessons learned" from this incident. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
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bobblebob

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No power cables have been damaged with the tear so thats a big plus. The array is still generating power and doesnt appear to be effected by the tear. What is the issue now is making it structurally safe
 
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mi2again

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"The entire thread is about the solar cells. Others have stated the panel, cells and all, are as flexible and thin as paper."<br /><br />No, the thread is about the "panels"<br />The cells themselves supply some rigidity laterally and between folds
 
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scottb50

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I wonder if static electricity could be sticking the panels together, maybe the rate of unfurling them could be reduced. Also was this the same array they had problems with when it was stowed? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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earth_bound_misfit

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It seems to me that the panels were not being observed well enough while being unfurled. NASA might need to throw some more resources at this in future. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>
 
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R1

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I think we need to have extra cell panels folded up in the station<br />they should have already thought about that with all the space program redundancies<br /><br />(and what's Kapton tape? Is that captain tape? or is Kapton a real material, I ask because the<br />stores that used to sell duct tape, are now selling duck tape.)<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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Testing

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Kapton is a synthetic insulating material. I believe the solar cells are encased in it. They have Kapton tape available on board but from the broadcast I just watched they are thinking of a lacing repair. KAPTON tape is great stuff for spacefarreres. Great dielectric strength and good low outgassing acrylic adhesive. Repacement panel would take two years minimum and cost more than both of us make in twenty years. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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mi2again

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"1. I think we need to have extra cell panels folded up in the station they should have already thought about that with all the space program redundancies<br /><br />2. (and what's Kapton tape? Is that captain tape? or is Kapton a real material, <br /><br />3. I ask because thestores that used to sell duct tape, are now selling duck tape.) "<br /><br />1. The 4th truss array is the redundancy and gets launch later<br />2. Kapton is the name<br />3. There is a debate whether "duck" was the proper word since the tape was first used for water proofing
 
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Testing

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They stopped deploy once due to sun glare prior to noting the problem. Look at a reflective object in the Sun and tell me what you can see. We see the reflection of ISS from 220 miles away. They are less than 200 feet. Also exposure to the Sun makes them more flexible and cooporative. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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willpittenger

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<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>The panels did not stick together during this last deploy because they had not been folded for years was there were pre launch.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Huh? I thought the torn array was the one they just moved from Z1. That had to be retracted for the move. So what are you talking about? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>
 
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