50kW Pneumatic Relocatable Solar Array (PRSA)

NASA developed a state-of-the-art scalable conceptual design of a high-performance 60kW/m3 deployable solar array with very low mass, compact stowage, and reliable deployment, called the Compact Telescoping Array (CTA). The CTA consists of a slender telescoping mast that deploys vertically and supports a large area flexible photovoltaic array. A retractable and relocatable (5-10x) CTA configuration was developed by NASA for use at the lunar south pole to harvest the sun’s energy and generate power to support activities in Permanently Shaded regions (PSRs). The packed array will deploy from a PSR and will therefore experience cryogenic cold (-213C) and constant exposure to natural and anthropogenic sources of lunar dust over its >10-year life. This program will build upon NASA concepts to establish a 50kW class Pneumatic Relocatable Solar Array (PRSA) system design that leverages simple mechanical systems to create an extremely robust lightweight system. Pneumatic deployment of telescoping masts is commonplace in terrestrial military and commercial applications used in austere environments. High modulus carbon-epoxy tubes will be designed and fitted with a bladder to facilitate simple deployment and retraction requiring very little power or complex mechanical systems to operate. The mast sections will be depressurized between relocation events and is not reliant on pressure maintenance for structural rigidity. Mast sections will latch and unlatch from pressurization to create a simple robust structure that can be automatically packed and deployed numerous times. All elements will be dust tolerant, but a layered dust protection methodology will be employed to assure life targets are met. A system design will be established, supported by analysis, and a demonstration mast will be fabricated and tested to establish feasibility.