Automated monitoring of flatness of solar array wings

This article discusses capabilities of a new special-purpose software-measuring system for monitoring flatness of solar array (SA) wings. The performance data and specifics of work are presented. The specifics of measurement of SA wings flatness are described. The allowable deviations from flatness of SA wings of the science power module (SPM) as part of the International Space station are given. The composition of the measuring complex is developed. The visual approach of making plans for testing methods and measurement techniques based on visual components is considered in detail. The elements from which the measurement plans are built are considered. Sample plans for verification procedures, methods of measuring flatness of the front and back wing surfaces are provided. Basic requirements for processing of measurement results which are stored for compatibility with the old manual approach of measurements are specified. Basic measurement processing algorithms for calculation of general and local wing out-of-flatness are provided. Key words: SA wing, solar array wing, meter, component model, overview, general out-of-flatness, local out-of-flatness.