Lightweight Illuminating Towers

L.Garde, Inc. proposes to design and develop a modular range of freestanding Lightweight Illuminating Towers (LiT) in response to NASA#39;s need fornbsp;quot;lightweight reflectors to redirect sunlight onto solar arrays or into dark cratersquot;. The LiT will consist of two subassemblies, (1) reflector with attendant mast, tilt drive, azimuth drive, and leveler, and (2) mass and volume efficient truss structure with stabilizing legs.nbsp;The two main LiT-specific challenges are tower height and robotic deployment of wide-base legs, using a lightweight and compact structure. In Phase I, L.Garde will prove the feasibility of the proposed LiT innovations using design, analysis, and test.nbsp;In Phase II, L.Garde will aim to develop a system design that will allow for the ground testing and demonstration of a LiT reflector tower (including stabilizing legs, slew, leveling, etc.).nbsp;