Materials and Structures Optimization / Process Development for the Mega-ROSA / ROSA Solar Array

Deployable Space Systems, Inc. (DSS), in collaboration with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Department of Mechanical Engineering, will focus the proposed NASA STTR Phase 1 program on the materials optimization, structures optimization, and manufacturing process optimization/development for the Mega-ROSA/ROSA solar array. The ROSA technology (termed for: Roll-Out Solar Array) is a new/innovative mission-enabling solar array system that offers maximum performance in all key metrics and unparalleled affordability for NASA's Space Science & Exploration missions. ROSA will enable NASA's emerging Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Space Science & Exploration missions through its ultra-affordability, ultra-lightweight, ultra-compact stowage volume, high strength/stiffness, and its high voltage and high/low temperature operation capability within many environments. The ROSA technology will provide NASA/industry a near-term and low-risk solar array system that provides revolutionary performance in terms of high specific power (>200-500 W/kg BOL at the wing level, PV-blanket dependent), affordability (>25-50% projected cost savings at the array level, PV-blanket dependent), ultra-lightweight, high deployed stiffness (10X better than current rigid panel arrays), high deployed strength (10X better than current rigid panel arrays), compact stowage volume (>60-80 kW/m3 BOL, 10X times better than current rigid panel arrays), high deployment reliability and operation reliability, high radiation tolerance, high voltage operation capability (>200 VDC), scalability (500W to 100's of kW), and LILT & HIHT operation capability (LILT?Low Intensity Low Temperature, HIHT?High Intensity High Temperature).