High-Strain Composite Deployable Radiators for CubeSats

In response to NASA's need for compact, lightweight and efficient, low-cost deployable radiators for CubeSats, Roccor proposes to develop a high-strain laminate composite deployable radiator capable of dissipating over 50-watts of thermal energy. The proposed design leverages Roccor's experience in high-strain composite deployable structures and thermal management products for CubeSat and SmallSat applications. While solar arrays and instrument capabilities in CubeSat applications keep growing, the limited radiator surface results in a thermal bottleneck that limits the actual use of science or communication instruments. State-of-the-art deployable radiators use multiple rigid panels connected by a flexible hinge, replicating designs used in large space structures. However, the miniaturization of such designs have proven incapable of meeting the tight mass and volume constraints of CubeSat applications. Roccor proposes to utilize a novel packaging of large surface areas, made of highly conductive materials, and with enough strain energy to deploy passively in a radial arrangement.

Roccor will maintain constant engagement with NASA centers in order to identify missions with thermal bottle necks, which could benefit from having additional power dissipation capabilities through extended surfaces. The primary target application is future NASA CubeSat and SmallSat spacecraft in which the surface area available for thermal dissipation has become the design bottleneck.

Over the past year Roccor has been collaborating with Morehead State University on opportunities for integrating Roccor's thermal management products into MSU's 6U common bus for scientific missions. In addition, Roccor has been in contact with commercial CubeSat or SmallSat developers who are reaching the thermal design limits for the significant processing or power dissipation of the designs.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.