SpaceX To Be First To Use Solar Panels On A Manned US Spacecraft  
by Staff Writers for SpaceX News Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 09, 2012

To ensure they will survive the harsh environment of space, our engineers put the solar arrays through hundreds of hours of rigorous testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, structural and electrical testing.

For its first mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will use deployable solar arrays as its primary power source for running sensors, driving heating and cooling systems, and communicating with SpaceX's Mission Control Center and the Space Station.
Dragon's solar arrays generate up to 5,000 watts of power - enough to power over 80 standard light bulbs.

MORE: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/SpaceX_To_Be_First_To_Use_Solar_Panels_On_A_Manned_US_Spacecraft_999.html

gaw

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