Deployable Space Systems, Inc. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: S3

Description

Deployable Space Systems has developed an innovative deployable solar array for CubeSat and SmallSat applications that offers a 2X increase in deployed solar array area given the very restrictive CubeSat stowed volume when compared to State-of-the-Art (SOA) CubeSat solar array systems.nbsp; The basic array structure is also dual-use and can be configured as a deployable radiator. This innovative and simple array design provides a robust, linear solar array deployment, maximizes the amount of solar power that can be deployed from the side of a 3U CubeSat (gt;50+ W/wing) and is significantly stronger and stiffer than current State-of-the-Art CubeSat-class solar arrays.nbsp; The solar array design features a deployable backbone structure for ultra-high deployed strength and stiffness.nbsp; All of the solar array components are chosen to minimize the stowed height of the array. Once successfully validated through the proposed Phase 1 and Phase 2 programs, the innovative CubeSat / SmallSat solar array will be mission-enabling for future high-power missions.