50kW Pneumatic Modular Solar Array STAC Mast

NASA developed a state-of-the-art scalable conceptual design of a high-performance 60kW/m3 deployable solar array with very low mass, compact stowage, and reliable deployment. The Compact Telescoping Array (CTA) consists of a slender telescoping mast that supports a large area flexible photovoltaic array that can be deployed vertically on the lunar surface. Moonprint will augment the CTA concept with new pneumatic telescoping mast technology and quick disconnect nodes between mast elements, to create a modular structures technology that can be configured multiple ways prior to flight, or repurposed on the lunar surface. The modular mast technology to be developed in this program is a new class of structures apart from deployable mast technologies in use and under development. The pneumatic telescoping mast technology, or Sequential Tip-Additive Construction (STAC), is “assembled” from the top of the mast rather than being pushed up from its base. Therefore, structural stiffness is realized during deployment and can be augmented with guys to generate extremely tall, slender towers. The nodes facilitate vertical stacking of structural elements or deployment in other directions such as in the case of outriggers. The pneumatic STAC elements and nodes can be combined to create solar array deployment and support structures, mast additions on top of solar arrays for communications relays, or as extremely tall towers for a range of purposes that require significant line of sight.

The modular mast technology will support a range of Artemis needs including: 1. Establish 50kW class solar arrays with outstanding metrics (136W/kg specific mass and 50kW/m3 specific packed volume), that are even more efficient as they are scaled to 200kW size 2. Facilitate adding extensions on top of solar arrays for communications/navigation systems 3. Facilitate extremely tall lightweight structures (200+m) that do not require robotic assembly that will provide greater line-of-sight distance on the lunar surface 4. Facilitate deployment in any direction desired, such as outriggers for guy support or stabilization legs that adapt to uneven surfaces on the Moon In addition, the modular elements can be reconfigured for other purposed on the lunar surface. The technology is also extensible to microgravity applications for very large deployable structures. Pneumatic telescoping masts are used all over the world every day in military and commercial applications. The pneumatic STAC mast and node technology is highly extensible to terrestrial applications. It offers the ability to reduce cost, power, and maintenance intervals because of its automatic latching devices and open tolerance design that does not require maintenance.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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