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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Ceres C-Tower is a deployable/retractable truss-mast to commission foldable or rollable solar arrays, at least 10-m from the lunar surface and can generate 60kW peak power (BOL). The system has specific power of > 120 W/kg and specific volume > 45 kW/m3 (BOL). Structural mechanisms innovations of the C-Tower are proposed for this SBIR: (1) Central Mast - Truss mast with 28 m extension and can be scaled up to 35 m, designed to function under gravity and has the advantage of being lightweight and reliable. (2) Solar Array Deployment Arms - Mechanism of deployment and retraction for solar array. (3) Sun-Tracking Mechanism (4) Deployable legs for stability and levelling The mechanisms are self-contained system capable of multiple (more than 10) deployments and retractions cycles with a long system life of at least 10 years. The two mechanisms are designed for surviving loads greater than those specified in the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS), GSFC-STD-7000A; ensuring the system is adaptable to multiple launch vehicles, mission architectures, and landers. The mechanisms are being designed to be dust tolerant. C-Tower structural mechanisms which form the core development area of this contract work is being designed and developed in-house by Ceres and is currently at TRL 2. Detailed design and analysis of the mechanisms will be completed during the Phase I period, including loading and stability under transport, deployment/ retraction cycles, and mechanical loading. Components prototypes will also be tested as part of this effort to bring the proposed elements to TRL 3. For future Phase II, full system structural prototype will be developed and will undergo extensive functional testing and environmental testing including full-scale deployment/retraction tests, stability tests, vibration tests, and drop tests to bring the system to TRL 5.
Extend life of missions and maximize science output for polar missions Support Human Missions and Habitats Meet power needs for ISRU, lunar bases, infrastructure, landers, and rovers. Driver for keeping overall systems costs lower for future missions. Towers used on lunar surface to provide communication and observation services
Lander and rover providers can utilize C-Tower to both meet surface payload demands and potential overnight survival/revival post lunar night. Payload providers can utilize to maximize their science output and are potential customers. Used on Earth to setup at diaster or war zones to provide communications services Licensing to a solar array company
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