Advanced UltraFlex Solar Array with Ultra-Thin Multijunction Photovoltaics

Future spacecraft missions demand solar arrays that can provide extremely-high specific power, ultra-low stowage volume, extremely-high power capability, high reliability, and affordability.  Current state-of-the-art optimized solar arrays rely on heavy composite honeycomb structures and are approaching performance plateaus (~100W/kg and ~13kW/m3).  Deployable Space Systems (DSS), in partnership with ATK Space and EMCORE, will focus the proposed SBIR program on the coupling, integration, and optimization of the most promising advanced electrical subsystem technology available, namely ultra-thin 33% BOL efficient multijunction solar cell flexible blanket technologies (EMCOREs IMM technology), to the lightest  highest-TRL support structure available, namely ATKs UltraFlex, to produce a near-term and low-risk solar array system that provides revolutionary performance in terms of high specific power (>500 W/kg BOL, 7X lighter than rigid arrays), lightweight, high deployed stiffness (5X stiffer than rigid arrays), high deployed strength, compact stowage volume (>50 kW/m3 BOL, 10X more compact stowage than rigid arrays), reliability, affordability, and rapid commercial readiness.  The high-performance of an optimized IMM-UltraFlex solar array system represents incredible improvements over current state-of-the-art.  The significance of the proposed effort will provide a revolutionary and positive performance impact to the end-user, and allow for the rapid insertion of this mission-enabling technology for future applications. BENEFIT: The proposed IMM/UltraFlex technology is widely applicable to all DoD, NASA, and commercial missions, as a direct replacement for current state-of-the-art.  The total solar array system market is estimated at $500M to $750M annually.  The IMM/UltraFlex 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 (7X lighter than rigid arrays), high deployed stiffness (5X stiffer than rigid arrays), high deployed strength, compact stowage volume (10X more compact stowage than rigid arrays), reliability, affordability, and rapid commercial readiness, will undoubtedly elevate the technologies status as mission-enabling for many applications.  Applicable missions include: LEO DoD surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and other critical payload/equipment satellites, LEO commercial mapping and critical payload/equipment satellites, MEO DoD satellites, GEO commercial communications and critical payload/equipment satellites, and GEO DoD communications and payload/equipment satellites.