Ultra-Lightweight Elastically Self-Deployable Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) for Responsive Space

Deployable-Space-Systems (DSS) has developed an ultra-lightweight elastically self-deployable roll-out solar array (ROSA) that when combined with ultra-thin 33% IMM PV flexible blanket technologies can produce a near-term and low-risk solar array system that provides revolutionary performance in terms of high specific power (>500 W/kg BOL w/IMM), lightweight, high deployed-stiffness, high deployed-strength, compact stowage volume (>50 kW/m3), reliability, rapid-assembly, rapid-reconfigurability, 1G deployment capability, affordability, and rapid commercial readiness. ROSAs high-performance provides incredible improvements over current state-of-the-art and in many cases are mission-enabling for future applications. The current Phase 1 effort has shown a modified-ORS-ROSA technology as ideally suited for Responsive Space (ORS) missions in terms of high-performance, rapid-responsiveness, and affordability. DSSs ORS-ROSA solar array is extremely simple with >50% components reduction, standardized/common parts, scalable/modular, and provides exceptional specific-performance compared to conventional arrays. DSSs ORS-ROSA-specific technology enables rapid-assembly capability and supports ORS program goals of spacecraft/ELV rapid-launch within 7-days from alert-status. The significance of the proposed/planned Phase 2 effort will validate the ORS-ROSA to TRL 5/6, and demonstrate through hardware/test the following technology advances: design-for-manufacture, rapid-assembly, rapid-reconfigurability, compact packaging, affordability, lightweight, and functional deployment in 1G without an offloader. These ORS-ROSA technology advances are mission-enabling for Responsive Space. BENEFIT: DSSs ROSA technology is widely applicable to all DoD and non-DoD missions as a direct replacement for current state-of-the-art. DSSs ROSA technology has the potential to ultimately replace existing solar arrays currently used and become the industry workhorse. The compelling performance benefits of the proposed technology such as: Ultra-lightweight (7.7X lighter than rigid arrays), high deployed stiffness, high deployed strength, compact stowage volume (occupies only 14% the volume of rigid arrays), reliability, affordability, and rapid commercial readiness, will undoubtedly provide mission-enabling market discriminators for many applications. Applicable missions include: LEO DoD surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and other critical payload satellites, LEO commercial mapping and critical payload satellites, MEO DoD satellites, GEO commercial communications and critical payload satellites, GEO DoD communications and payload satellites, and deep space interplanetary/planetary satellites. The most important near-term market opportunities are Responsive Space missions. ROSAs high-performance combined with its inherent plug-and-play features allow for rapid-assembly, rapid-reconfigurability, and 1G deployment capability to provide market dominating discriminators for Responsive Space missions. The planned Phase 2 effort has strong potential to fulfill the AFRL SBIR goals of providing high specific power, compact stowage volume, high deployed strength and stiffness, adaptability/scalability, affordability, plug-and-play modularity, rapid-assembly, rapid-reconfigurability, and the proven infrastructure to infuse readied technology for future missions.