re hst servicing mission scheduled for days in article rrgu lp access digex net prb access digex net pat writes in article c a at e z zoo toronto edu henry zoo toronto edu henry spencer writes no the thing is designed to be retrievable in a pinch indeed this dictated a rather odd design for the solar arrays since they had to be retractable as well as extendable and may thus have indirectly contributed to the array flapping problems why not design the solar arrays to be detachable if the shuttle is going to retunr the hst what bother are some arrays just fit them with a quick release i didn t think the bi stem design was used so much for the retrieval as for the ability to launch in a tight size sts envelope this is my own guess based on similar designs flown on other large sts launched s c gro uars also there might be some consideration given to mass requirements bi stems weight less than conventional s a finally the hst arrays do have the ability to be detached remember they re going to be replaced with new arrays however as an acs guy who s seen his branch management pull their collective hair out over hst i would voice a hearty yea to using conventional arrays over bi stems whenever possible no half hertz flexible modes no thermal snap no problem david w gsfc
