Next Generation Silicon Based Solar Arrays for Space Stations and Other Permanent Space Infrastructure

Solestial, Inc. (formerly Regher Solar) in collaboration with Opterus Research and Development, Inc. (Opterus) propose this SBIR Ignite Phase 2 project to continue development of a novel photovoltaic solar array technology for large-scale spacecraft and planetary surface infrastructure that can overcome size, cost and weight limitations of the existing solar array technologies, achieve >50 kWe scale, 200 W/kg specific power and 50 kW/m3 stowed volume efficiency while simultaneously having $40/W cost and >1,000 MW manufacturing potential. The proposed innovation is based on the integration of the the next generation radiation hard and ultra-light silicon solar blankets developed by Solestial with R-ROMA deployment system developed by Opterus. The proposed Phase 2 project will focus on increasing the readiness of the blanket framing system - the key technology required to integrate thin silicon blankets with R-ROMA deployment system. A 500W framed blankets will be produced andtested to achieve TRL 6 followed by flying on a commercial spacecraft to achieve TRL 7. The proposed Phase 2 project will also develop a model and engineering drawings for a 15 kW solar array. Solestial will be offering a 15 kW array to commercial customers and will be looking to build a flight model using follow on funding afte