Very Low Cost, High Performance Fire Support Munition

Not Available This proposal seeks to investigate the possibility of achieving aggressive weight and cost targets for space asset power sources through the use of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology. Daystar Technologies has previously demonstrated copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) thin film PV cells on stainless steel foil with AM1.5 efficiencies in excess of 16%. These performance levels offer the possibility of array specific power in excess of 200 W/kg. Initial flight tests have shown that CIGS is radiation-tolerant in low earth orbit (LEO). In the proposed project, we will address technical issues necessary to prove efficacy of the technology base. This includes cell fabrication processes, cell performance on very lightweight substrates, conceptual packaging design and preliminary space qualification of materials. Successful completion of Phase I will lead to a Phase II proposal where cell packaging, space qualification, module design and manufacturing system design will be completed