Stiffened Thinned Panel (STP) Array

Opterus proposes to develop a high performance deployable solar array for small spacecraft missions. The array will support the US Air Force’s Space Warfighting Construct and enables resilient missions. The modular array is easily reconfigured for new cell technologies and array mission requirements (voltage, orbit, life, etc.). The array is also easily reconfigured from smaller missions with 1kW of total power to larger missions needing over 5 kW of total power. Resilience is enabled through modularity at the string level, the panel level, and the panel connection level. Array packaging and mass performance metrics far exceed heritage solar arrays and also exceed recently developed advanced blanket solar arrays. Metrics over 200 W/kg in mass performance and greater than 30 kW/m3 in packaging performance are achieved. The Phase I program will develop the array architecture from concept to TRL 3: a prototype array will be fabricated and deployment tested. These activities will validate the array architecture and prove out the design approach. A Phase II program will mature the technology to TRL 5. The Phase II program will enable design refinement to better meet Air Force needs and allow fabrication and testing of higher fidelity engineering development units.