Composite Blanket Elements for CTA

Opterus Research and Development, Inc. proposes to develop solar array blanket technologies suitable for solar electric propulsion (SEP) missions. The technologies will address NASA’s needs for increased power, modularity to reduce cost, high voltage operation, and operation in a SEP environment. The work will further enable high reliability and compact stowage in a design that provides sufficient stiffness to minimize adverse spacecraft dynamics issues.

The proposed technologies are applicable to all blanket solar arrays. Blanket solar arrays have emerged as the leading contender for moderate to high-power missions and even low power missions due to their mass efficiency and small stowed volume. NASA has several missions under consideration that use electric propulsion and require high power solar arrays. It is a key technology for NASA’s long-term Mars objectives, both getting to Mars with SEP and providing power as a Mars surface solar array.

The proposed technologies are applicable to a broad range of non-NASA missions. GEO communications and radar platforms require power levels exceeding 20 kW and blanket solar arrays are often considered. Other than the specializations required for SEP, the requirements for the proposed technologies overlap with the needs of high power communications system. Both systems require high reliability, compact stowage, low cost, and light weight

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.

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