Heliostats
Heliostats are mirrors that track the movement of the sun and reflect its light onto a fixed target. In space and astronautical engineering, heliostats are used in solar power generation systems, such as solar thermal propulsion systems, where they concentrate the sun's energy onto a heat exchanger to produce thrust. Heliostats are also used in solar power satellites, where they reflect the sun's energy onto photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. The design of heliostats involves considerations such as mirror size, shape, and orientation, as well as tracking accuracy and control systems.
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