Mass-Optimized Ultra Flex Solar Array with Integrated IMM Cell Flexible Blanket, Phase II

A mass-optimized UltraFlex solar array with integrated IMM cell flexible blanket is widely applicable to all future non-NASA GEO and LEO space missions (including DoD and commercial missions), and is a direct replacement to current-state-of-the-art. IMM-on-UltraFlex technologies are mission-enabling for high voltage, high power and constrained-volume launch vehicle packaging applications. Additionally, because of its inherent light weight and deployed stiffness/strength capability, the IMM UltraFlex is ideal for rapid-maneuvering surveillance satellite applications (can more weight-efficiently take high-G accelerations). Additionally, the next-generation of GEO spacecraft could be optimally designed to take advantage of IMM UltraFlex's high stiffness/strength to allow the arrays to remain deployed during transfer orbit burns (generating full power) and greatly reducing spacecraft ACS requirements (>10X deployed stiffness). Applicable non-NASA space missions include: LEO surveillance, reconnaissance, GEO commercial communications and critical payload/equipment satellites, and GEO DoD communications and payload/equipment satellites. A mass-optimized UltraFlex solar array with integrated IMM cell flexible blanket is applicable to all future NASA Space Science, Earth Science, and Exploration Initiative missions as a direct replacement to current-state-of-the-art. The IMM-optimized UltraFlex is the mission-enabling solar array system solution for near-to-medium term NASA Discovery, Flagship Outer Planets and New Frontiers-class science mission planners requiring high power (scalability), stowed packaging efficiency, high voltage design capability and highest specific power. The design will benefit interplanetary, comet rendezvous and Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) science missions, and all other NASA LEO, GEO, planetary or celestial-body Lander, planetary orbiter, and/or Deep Space applications. More »