High Efficiency SOTV Concentrator Systems Based on Asymmetric Inherently Stiff Single Surface Membrane Shells

Mevicon Inc. is pleased to propose the development of single surface thin film membrane asymmetric shell structures for use as on-orbit solar concentrators. The proposed inherently stiff membrane (ISM) technology shows strong promise to enable advancedconcentrator structures that provide means for foldless stowage, deterministic self deployment, and self rigidization. Elimination of the transmisive canopy, enabled by removing the need to retain pressure to maintain shape, significantly improvesconcentration efficiency (25% over SOA) while simultaneously greatly reducing/eliminating other concentrator sub-system mass contributers, such as the canopy, torus reaction structure, and pressurization systems. Based on initial estimates, system levelperformance could be increased by 50% and made independent of mission life. To better quantify these advantages, in Phase 1 we will establish feasibility of the key aspects of the concept by concentrating on refining understanding of the structuralbehavior of asymmetric single surface membrane shells, establish the feasibility of packaging, deployment, and rigidization approaches, and investigate manufacturing paths for concentrators of the required mission driven sizes. In Phase 2 we plan torefine designs, demonstrate manufacturing of larger scale concentrators with an appropriate partner, and begin efforts that would lead to flight demonstration under Phase III activities. The proposed effort is directly relevant to Solar OrbitalTransfer Vehicles (SOTVs) as it offers a technology development path towards significantly improving concentrator subsystem efficiency and lifetime while simultaneously decreasing areal density and system complexity. The proposed effort will also lead topotential improvements in other space application areas where larger, lighter apertures are desirable such as, concentrators for solar power generation, radiowave antennas, laser-comm and LIDAR