High-Performance Elastically Self-Deployed Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA), Phase I

Deployable Space Systems (DSS), in partnership with ATK Space and EMCORE, will focus the proposed SBIR program on the coupling of ultra-thin 33% BOL efficient multijunction solar cell flexible blanket technologies (EMCORE's IMM cell integrated to an advanced flexible blanket), to an ultra-lightweight elastically self-deployed roll-out solar array (ROSA) structural platform to produce a near-term and low-risk solar array system that provides revolutionary performance in terms of high specific power (>546 W/kg BOL), lightweight, high deployed stiffness, high deployed strength, compact stowage volume (>57 kW/m3 BOL), reliability, affordability, and rapid commercial readiness. The high-performance of an optimized ROSA solar array system with IMM technology represents incredible improvements over current state-of-the-art. The significance of the proposed effort will provide a revolutionary and positive performance impact to the end-user, and allow for the rapid insertion of this mission-enabling technology for future applications. More »