Cost-Effective ISS Space-Environment Technology Validation of Advanced Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA)

DSS proposes to systematically mature, mitigate risk for; and perform hardware-based ground validations / demonstrations of a low-cost, high technology payoff, ISS-based flight experiment that will allow key relevant space-flight environmental validation of our innovative Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) technology. The ROSA flex-blanket solar array technology provides game-changing affordability and performance, and delivers a performance paradigm shift in terms of: significantly lower cost, greater specific power, more compact stowage volume, higher structural performance, less complexity, and more modularity / scalability than state-of-the-art solar arrays. A critical aspect of readying the enabling ROSA technology for infusion into potential end-user applications is to increase the TRL to 7+ via test / analytical validation of hardware in a relevant spaceflight environment for: Deployment, Deployed Dynamics and Photovoltaic Power Production. The ISS provides a ready and cost-effective relevant space environment (zero-G, vacuum and solar illumination/thermal) test-bed for the validation of these key technology areas via the straightforward flight experiment proposed. The Phase 2 effort is intended to lead to the definition of a comprehensive and test-validated ISS-based ROSA experiment design and operations plan that will facilitate / accelerate an ISS experiment manifest / review / approval process to significantly shorten the time to flight. The program includes: comprehensive risk mitigation for the flight experiment that includes hardware-based testing / ground simulation of experiment operations (including ISS structure and robotic arm interfaces) with functional and flight-like experiment hardware and generation of documentation to facilitate ISS flight experiment board requirements, integration, operations and safety reviews.

Potential NASA space flight applications are comprised of practically all NASA missions that require power production through deployment of photovoltaic devices. The technology is very well suited for high-power, high voltage Exploration missions, SEP missions, deep space LILT missions, high strength and high stiffness CEV, COTS/CRS, rovers, and other NASA mission applications requiring significant design flexibility, scalability, modularity and low cost. The proposed (ISS-flight validated) ROSA technology will undoubtedly provide discriminating performance and will be mission-enabling for many NASA missions when compared to current state-of-the-art systems; and its ultra-high performance, affordability, configuration flexibility and low-parts, and elegantly-simple deployment reliability is game-changing for NASA. The proposed Phase 2 flight experiment hardware development / risk mitigation; and eventual successful ISS space flight TRL 7+ validation of the ROSA technology will provide a reliable replacement for expensive and inferior-performing solar arrays, and will enable many future NASA missions requiring: high specific power, high stiffness / strength, scalability / modularity, high stowed packaging efficiency, autonomous retraction and re-deployment capability, large-area / high power capability, high voltage operation, LILT operation, and high radiation survivability.

A strong and solid commercial technology infusion path has been identified for the ROSA technology and proposed program, with exceptional commercial end-user interest in the technology and its continued development and near-term ISS flight-validation. ROSA is ideal as a direct replacement solar array for the large number of projected future commercial communications satellites that require ever-increasing power levels, and DoD surveillance / communication applications requiring the highest performing solar arrays. The proposed (ISS-flight validated) ROSA technology will undoubtedly provide discriminating performance and will be mission-enabling for many space missions when compared to current state-of-the-art systems; and its ultra-high performance, affordability, configuration flexibility and low-parts, and elegantly-simple deployment reliability is game-changing for the commercial space industry. The anticipated Phase 2 program will completely justify, increase the feasibility of and provide key detailed ISS implementation design / planning for, and significantly reduce experiment risks for a cost-effective flight ROSA experiment that will rapidly mature and advance the TRL, and produce the much desired space-flight validation of the revolutionary ROSA solar array architecture required by commercial end-users. An ISS flight experiment is critical to providing a reliable, and high-fidelity ROSA solar array system that potentially would enable DoD and commercial space missio

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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