* 1. ASSEMBLE THE SOLAR PANEL.

Lunar Prospector's SOLAR PANEL is a cylinder which surrounds the spacecraft. It supports several thousand thin rectangular silicon wafers, called photovoltaic cells (or solar cells) which convert sunlight to electricity. These individual cells are wired in series and parallel, to produce enough electricity to operate the spacecraft. The SOLAR PANEL also shades sunlight from the spacecraft bus, to prevent overheating.

• From Parts Sheet A, release the rectangular SOLAR PANEL.

• This piece must be wrapped around so its ends join to form a cylinder. To impart a curve into the piece, roll it tightly around a cylindrical object the size of a D-size battery, with the metalic detail facing out.

• Apply low-moisture glue (such as a glue stick) to the white rectangular area at one end of the piece.

• Wrap the rectangular SOLAR PANEL around into a cylinder, and overlap the glue area onto the opposite end, keeping the metalic detail facing out. Adjust into an even cylindrical shape, and squeeze the seam until dry. Note: the seam will be slippery until the glue sets, due to its shiny finish. Be sure to clamp the seam firmly until the glue is thoroughly dry. Silver markings near the seam need not line up exactly, but the top and bottom edges of the panel must be even.

• Readjust the shape if necessary, to make the SOLAR PANEL an even cylinder.

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