VSAT Government Reference Design (VSAT GRD-TASK)

The Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) project was responsible for partnering with industry to develop solar array technology suitable for use at the Lunar South Pole region where elevation of the array component is of paramount importance to system performance. Three companies—Astrobotic (AB), Honeybee Robotics (HBR), and Lockheed Martin (LM)—demonstrated autonomous deployments and retractions of high-fidelity prototypes in both ambient and high vacuum/temperature extremes in JSC’s Chamber A. Additional environmental tests for Sun-tracking gimbals, dust mitigation, ultra-cold temperatures, bending stiffness and buckling, and tipping were also completed. All three designs included batteries only to survive, but not operate, during assumed worst-case darkness periods of 96 hours.  As part of this project a government reference was designed and has been under fabrication at Langley Research Center (LaRC). The VSAT Government Reference Design (GRD) demonstrates the basic concepts involved in autonomous vertical deployment of solar arrays, lessons learned and problems from the first VSAT task, and ensures that the government team is adequately informed about the critical design features embodied in such an effort. The purpose of the GRD prototype is to demonstrate the basic concepts involved in autonomous vertical deployment of solar arrays and to ensure that the government team is adequately informed about the critical design features embodied in such an effort. There are two components for this VSAT GRD activity: 1.) Complete fabrication and assembly of solar array housings and 2.) mate the array housings to the existing VSAT mast and demonstrate deployment of both the mast and the array. 

​Access to continuous, localized power throughout the lunar day and night is essential for productive crew and robotic missions on the Moon's surface. The technologies required can be grouped into three categories: power generation, power management and distribution, and energy storage.  Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) is an autonomous system capable of reliable retraction and system mobility on uneven terrain with minimal mass and packing volume. VSAT, with its 10-meter mast, will have the ability to capture near-continuous sunlight at the lunar south pole. The focus of the originial VSAT project was the development of solar array technologies necesary for sustained presence on the lunar surface. The VSAT Government Reference Design (GRD) demonstrates the basic concepts involved in autonomous vertical deployment of solar arrays,lessons learned and problems from the first VSAT task, and ensures that the government team is adequately informed about the critical design features embodied in such an effort.

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