the overall goal of the array automated assembly task, phase i, of the low-cost silicon solar array project is a comprehensive assessment of the processes, conceptual designs, and new technologies required to achieve, by 1985, annual solar cell array production capability greater than 500 megawatts per year at a cost less than $500 per kilowatt. this goal is being approached from two directions the first is to build a model or models of the costs involved in the various steps used to fabricate solar cell modules. these costs are being analyzed in terms of present-day capabilities and projected capabilities. also, new technologies will be fitted to these models to determine the cost ranges for solar cell processing using new or emerging technologies. the second approach is to determine the cost goals for each of the processing steps. the program will then undertake a series of studies that are intended to point the way from existing and projected costs to the cost goals. the design-to-cost concept will establish allowable costs for each cell manufacture/array assembly step consistent with the 1985 cost goals during this quarter, effort was concentrated on evaluating the technical feasibility of two key solar cell process steps, surface texture etching and patterned electroless nickel plating. design improvements have been made on the long life lssa module design that improve packing density (efficiency) and lower cost. a follow-on program featuring sensitivity analysis of solar cell performance versus physical parameters has been initiated. (era citation 03: 000427)