US Patent 6983914 Deployable solar array assembly

Solar array assemblies and systems and methods for deploying solar cell arrays from a spacecraft. A solar cell panel assembly comprises a first flexible solar panel and a rotational member. A first extension assembly is disposed proximate to a first end of the rotational member and a second extension assembly is disposed proximate to a second end of the rotational member. The solar cell panel assembly further comprises a first support member and a second support member. The first end of the first support member is coupled to the first end of the rotational member and the first end of the second support member is coupled to the second end of the rotational member. The second ends of the support members are coupled to the first flexible solar panel. A tether assembly couples the extension assemblies to the support members.