Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

Abstract: A joint for unfolding and locking a solar generator or a reflector, or other aerospace components that can be unfolded, includes two half joints, a joint axis, and a drive. A drive spring of the drive has a progressive characteristic curve over the unfolding angle of the two half joints, which increases over the unfolding, to compensate for a frictional torque that varies over the unfolding angle.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

Abstract: Satellite solar generator wing including solar panels having at least two fixed solar panels and at least one semi-fixed solar panel. The solar panels are connected to one another in order to assume an operating position and a transport position, and, in the transport position, the solar panels are retained on top of one another and the semi-fixed solar panel is arranged in a freely oscillating manner between the two fixed solar panels.

Abstract: Satellite solar generator wing including solar panels having at least two fixed solar panels and at least one semi-fixed solar panel. The solar panels are connected to one another in order to assume an operating position and a transport position, and, in the transport position, the solar panels are retained on top of one another and the semi-fixed solar panel is arranged in a freely oscillating manner between the two fixed solar panels.

Abstract: In a solar cell interconnector (2?,102, 202, 302, 402) with at least two layers, comprising a first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) and a second, electrically conductive layer (21, 121, 221, 321, 421), the first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) consists of a polymeric material and the second, electrically conductive layer (21, 121, 221, 321, 421) consists of a metal material deposited on the first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420).

Abstract: A joint for unfolding and locking a solar generator or a reflector, or other aerospace components that can be unfolded, includes two half joints, a joint axis, and a drive. A drive spring of the drive has a progressive characteristic curve over the unfolding angle of the two half joints, which increases over the unfolding, to compensate for a frictional torque that varies over the unfolding angle.

Abstract: A flexible foldable solar generator having an array of a plurality of blankets carrying solar cells hingeably connected to be folded and unfolded. The solar cells are connected together by branches and the branches are connected by connector lines in inner and outer current conducting tracks system arranged outside the blankets. The branches connect the solar cells with the connecting lines in the outer track to form a U-shaped series connection of the cells and the U-shaped series connected cells are connected in parallel by the connecting lines in the inner track where they can be connected to energy systems of the space vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission for folding out the solar cell panels (3 through 7) folded in an accordion-like manner on a spacecraft (1) has cable pulleys (22 through 27) at the hinges (9 through 14), around pairs of which pulleys endless cables (29 through 33) are wound. To adapt its change in length during temperature changes to the change in the length of the panels (3 through 7) and to increase its rigidity to elongation, the cable (29 through 33) is provided with a plastic sheathing (47, 48) firmly connected to same outside the area of the cable pulleys (22 through 27).

Abstract: In order to attain a cost-effective manufacturing, suitable for large-scale production, in the case of a rail wheel, and, at the same time, a high degree of structural strength, whereby the wheel disk, which rigidly joins the wheel hub (4) with the wheel tire in a fibrous composite type of construction, is made of two external fibrous composite surface layers and a characteristically light inner core, which transmits shearing force, arranged between them, the inner core is composed, according to the invention, of ring segment-shaped, foam plastic-filled fibrous composite hollow cases (22), each consisting of web portions (28), running radially between the wheel hub and the wheel tire, arranged perpendicularly to the surface layers, with an intersecting fibrous orientation, slanted at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the sections, as well as profile side walls (30), formed in one piece, on the longitudinal edges of the web portions, with a continuous fibrous structure, each evenly bonded with the inne