Recent terminology change

[fivemack]

When did they start calling deployed photoelectric power sources on spacecraft 'solar wings' rather than 'solar panels'?

I suppose they are very occasionally actually used as wings, but the only example I can think of it aerobraking into orbit around Mars.

Comments

[hilarityallen.livejournal.com]

Because it sounds more Exciting. Also, it conveys the fact that the panels make the thing go (not that wings make planes go, but they seem to be the defining feature).

[del-c.livejournal.com]

If you're going to go for biology metaphors, "solar leaves" would seem more appropriate.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

They make birds go, though, which might be enough for the analogy.

[pavanne.livejournal.com]

I dunno. They never told me. But then part of my job is to make vigorous fun of stupid terminology relating to solar power, of which there is much. This would appear to be one such example.

My boss may disagree on that penultimate sentence.