On the spacecraft, the solar panels normally rotate to continuously face as square on to the Sun as possible. If you would like your model to have moveable solar panels, proceed as follows:
- Cut through the SOLAR PANEL SUPPORT ARM just inboard of each solar panel.
- Obtain a dowel or a bamboo skewer thin enough to pass inside the SOLAR PANEL SUPPORT ARM. Cut it to 7.25 inches (or 165mm) in length and insert it through the arm attached to the SPACECRAFT BUS and the SOLAR PANELS. Position the SOLAR PANELS up snug against the cut SUPPORT ARM. Secure the panels to the skewer with glue, keeping them level with each other while the glue dries. Keep glue out of the SUPPORT ARM junction so the panels will be free to rotate.
B) SOLID ROCKET MOTOR
The spacecraft carried a powerful solid rocket motor (SRM) which was ignited on August 10, 1990, to decelerate the spacecraft and inject it into orbit around Venus. It was jettisonned promptly thereafter. The following diagram is provided in case you would like to fashion a SRM for your model.
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