The mini-flasher: a solar array test system

Abstract The mini-flasher has been developed to provide a simple and mobile instrument to control solar array basic functionality and use comparative measurements to detect damages. The paper recalls the technological evolution which led to flashers or LAPSS, their complexity, and their accuracy which was countered by loss in operational flexibility. The mini-flasher principles of operation are briefly given as well as a summary of the user manual and an example of the result. Although the system was developed in the spacecraft technology environment, its mobility probably makes it a useful tool for the field verification of terrestrial solar arrays performance.