HSC Mast for Extreme Environments

Opterus proposes to develop and test a high-performance high-strain composite (HSC) mast for lunar, Martian, and deep-space applications. Building on the existing TCTM boom and deployer developed for orbital applications, this effort will enhance durability, expand the operational temperature range, assess the effects of lunar regolith damage, and increase lifting capacity for extraterrestrial use. Originally designed for zero-gravity deployment, the TCTM boom must be adapted to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, regolith abrasion, and gravitational loads. Through environmental testing, Opterus will evaluate structural performance, identify design improvements, and conduct an analytical scaling study to refine the system for long-term reliability. These advancements will position the TCTM boom as a versatile, cost effective, and scalable mast technology for lunar solar arrays, communication towers, and space infrastructure, expanding its utility across planetary and deep-space missions. The intended use of the funding will be to support the testing of the TCTM boom in extreme environments and incorporate the insights into the development of an improved TCTM boom capable of use in these extreme extraterrestrial environments. In addition to enabling critical lunar infrastructure, Opterus has identified an express commercial need for shorter but more mass and volume efficient mast solutions. Opterus is confident this boom technology will enable other applications such as commercial companies pursuing in-situ resource utilization. Improvements to the boom in extreme thermal environments could enable other applications such as deep space exploration.