Survivable solar power-generating systems for use with spacecraft

A solar power-generating system for use on board spacecraft comprising:

• optical means positioned to collect and concentrate solar energy flux;
• a flexible solar energy flux transmission line for conducting the concentrated solar energy flux towards a solar energy converter,
• solar energy conversion means including an array of photovoltaic cells for converting the solar energy flux to electrical power to be applied to on-board equipment of the spacecraft;
• a protective enclosure positioned about the photovoltaic cells for substantially shielding the photovoltaic cells from destructive radiation and particulate matter,
• wherein the transmission line includes a plurality of optical fiber waveguides having respective input and output end portions, the input end portions being respectively positioned to receive concentrated solar energy flux, the output end portions being respectively positioned to direct concentrated solar energy flux towards the conversion means;
• and
• means for moving the input ends of the optical fiber waveguides with respect to the optical means to generally optimize the quantity of concentrated solar flux entering the waveguides.