Cost-Effective ISS Space-Environment Technology Validation of Advanced Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA)

DSS proposes to systematically mature, mitigate risk for; and perform hardware-based ground validations / demonstrations of a low-cost, high technology payoff, ISS-based flight experiment that will allow key relevant space-flight environmental validation of our innovative Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) technology. The ROSA flex-blanket solar array technology provides game-changing affordability and performance, and delivers a performance paradigm shift in terms of: significantly lower cost, greater specific power, more compact stowage volume, higher structural performance, less complexity, and more modularity / scalability than state-of-the-art solar arrays. A critical aspect of readying the enabling ROSA technology for infusion into potential end-user applications is to increase the TRL to 7+ via test / analytical validation of hardware in a relevant spaceflight environment for: Deployment, Deployed Dynamics and Photovoltaic Power Production. The ISS provides a ready and cost-effective relevant space environment (zero-G, vacuum and solar illumination/thermal) test-bed for the validation of these key technology areas via the straightforward flight experiment proposed. The Phase 2 effort is intended to lead to the definition of a comprehensive and test-validated ISS-based ROSA experiment design and operations plan that will facilitate / accelerate an ISS experiment manifest / review / approval process to significantly shorten the time to flight. The program includes: comprehensive risk mitigation for the flight experiment that includes hardware-based testing / ground simulation of experiment operations (including ISS structure and robotic arm interfaces) with functional and flight-like experiment hardware and generation of documentation to facilitate ISS flight experiment board requirements, integration, operations and safety reviews.