{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":34096,"title":"Cubesat SEP Power Module","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10594,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10593,"level":3,"code":"TX03.1.1","title":"Photovoltaic","definition":"Photovoltaic electrical power generation converts photons into electrical power, including photovoltaic cells, cell integration, and mechanical and structural technologies for cell arrays.","exampleTechnologies":"25 – 150 kW-class solar arrays, reliably retractable solar arrays, reduced-cost photovoltaic blankets, extreme environment solar cells and panels","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The small development and launch costs of CubeSats holds the promise of reducing the cost of space exploration an order of magnitude while opening up entirely new classes of missions. To realize this vision requires increases in power capability to enable higher data rates from long distances, higher power sensors, power from greater than 1AU, and electric propulsion systems. ExoTerra's SEP Power Module serves as a high power platform that has applications as a power system for interplanetary spacecraft to the Moon, NEOs, Mars or Venus.
The increased power provided by the SEP Power Module enables multiple commercial applications. The higher power enables higher power telecommunications systems to provide higher data rates. This allows CubeSats to begin entering the commercial communications market. It also provides power to electric propulsion systems, providing a means to perform orbit maintenance, orbit raising or inclination change. This allows the CubeSats to adjust their orbit versus their drop-off trajectory to conduct missions using an organized constellation.","description":"Today's CubeSats are inherently power limited due to their small size and available surface area. Today's CubeSats offer <100W of available power. This limits their ability to provide high data rate telecommunications, use high power sensors such as lidars, or to travel to distances beyond 1 AU. ExoTerra's SEP Power Module packages over 200 W of power within 1.6U of volume. This increased performance further expands the capabilities of CubeSats and allows them to venture outside Earth orbit. The power module uses a Z-folded, boom deployed array to tightly stow the solar panels during launch. After deployment, it incorporates a single axis gimbal that allows the array to track the sun, providing increased orbit average power versus fixed arrays. Finally, we improve the power efficiency by integrating a 270V direct drive unit. This couples to an Electric Propulsion system to provide a high efficiency propulsion system that's compatible with rideshare launch restrictions.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2015,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":340533,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Vanwoerkom","fullName":"Michael Vanwoerkom","fullNameInverted":"Vanwoerkom, Michael","primaryEmail":"mvanwoerkom@exoterracorp.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":48722,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Brandon","lastName":"White","fullName":"Brandon L White","fullNameInverted":"White, Brandon L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"brandon.l.white@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":293354,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_Z4.01-8766","fileSize":125019,"objectId":289873,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"122.1 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":293354,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_Z4.01-8766","fileSize":125019,"objectId":289873,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"122.1 KB"}],"id":289873,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Cubesat SEP Power Module Briefing 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CubeSats offer the potential for low cost exploration throughout the inner solar system. With the higher power availability, CubeSat missions can power high deltaV Electric Propulsion to perform interplanetary trajectories. Once at the target, the arrays enable high power instruments such as lidar for imaging and long range telecommunications to send the data back. The lightweight arrays also enable CubeSat missions to be conducted further from the sun in low flux regions such as near earth asteroids and even Mars.
The high power arrays have multiple commercial applications as well. CubeSats have the potential to replace large monolithic satellites with constellations of microsatellites. The high specific power benefits CubeSats and Microsats generically through reduced weight and launch volume. This capability can enable the use of higher power payloads or telecommunications. The arrays also form the foundation of a CubeSat SEP module that can provide high dV rideshare compatible propulsion for the first time. This enables CubeSats to alter their trajectory from their drop-off orbit and maintain their ideal orbit once they arrive for coordinated constellations.","description":"As electronics continue to shrink, the capabilities of CubeSats continue to expand. This offers the possibility of entirely new mission classes for space exploration. However, CubeSats small surface area limits their power availability. Typical CubeSat arrays are <100 W. The low power limits their capability, particularly as increased distance from the sun reduces power further. The low power limits instrument selection, telecommunications options, and electric propulsion usage. To resolve these issues, ExoTerra has developed a CubeSat Solar Electric Propulsion Power Module. The module incorporates a lightweight deployable solar array with up to 296 W (BOL) of power. The module efficiently delivers the power to a micro Hall Effect Thruster at nearly 300 V via a direct drive power distribution card. The specific power of over 140 W/kg and power density of over .17 W/cm3 efficiently packages the module into a 6U CubeSat. When not needed for electric propulsion, the card steps the voltage down to either 28 or 12 V to deliver high power for either instrument or telecommunications use. ExoTerra builds on the Phase I prototype and functional testing effort by building a qualification unit of the array and direct drive electronics in Phase II. During the period of performance, we initiate functional and environmental testing to push towards commercializing the technology.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":5,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":11,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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