<h2>AAS  96-133</h2><h2>FLUTTER OF SOLAR ARRAYS IN RAREFIED JET PLUMES</h2><h4>J. A. Storch, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory</h4><h2> Abstract </h2>We investigate the aeroelastic stability of a solar array in the flow field of a hypersonic jet. Aerodynamic loads are calculated employing an approximate analytical model of the jet in conjunction with free molecular flow theory. Utilizing both a discrete and continuum solar array structure, it is shown that flutter instabilities can occur depending upon angle of attack, distance from source, surface momentum accommodation and structural parameters. The case of pulsed periodic flow is analyzed vial Floquet Theory and stability boundaries are obtained for various combinations of pulse width and spacing. Applications are given for the MIR solar arrays in the presence of Shuttle PRCS jet plumes.<br><br>