Lightweight Nanosatellite Deployable Array

The proposed effort will develop an innovative deployable solar array capable of providing up to 80 W to a CubeSat. This deployable array design stows the solar panels within the ‘extra volume’ allowed by the P-POD specification beyond the standard 10x10 cm CubeSat footprint, providing compatibility with most existing CubeSat components. The panel is pointed using a ‘Canfield Joint’ gimbal, which can provide full hemispherical pointing to maximize orbit-average power generation. The design provides secure restraint of the panels prior to release from the P-POD, and the gimbal itself is used to initiate the panel deployment, eliminating the need for a separate release actuator. The panel fold-out sequence is mechanically staged to ensure reliable deployment without inter-panel collisions. During the Phase I effort, we fabricated and tested proof-of-concept prototypes of all key mechanical components of the proposed design, enabling the full panel to be developed in Phase II at low risk. The proposed CubeSat Deployable Array will prove exceptionally high power-per-mass capabilities on the order of 20 W/kg, and will enable the SMDC and other organizations to conduct flight mission that use the low-cost CubeSat platform to achieve demanding operational and tech-demo missions.