SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The 50 kW-Class Retractable ndash; Rollable Mast Array (R-ROMA) vertically deployed and retractable solar array in addition to its critical enabling components: the Trussed Collapsible Tubular Mast (TCTM), Recirculating Belt Deployer (RCB), Composite Blanket Elements (CBE), Double Parallelogram Arms (DPA), and the R-ROMA Pedestal directly address and enable NASArsquo;s Moon to Mars program objectives.nbsp;The Moon to Mars campaign requires numerous 50 kW-class solar arrays for powering the Foundation Surface Habitat, ISRU equipment, lunar bases, rovers, landers, science equipment. These solar power systems ideally are also reusable for solar electric propulsion (SEP) in route to Mars. NASA requires sustainable power on the lunar surface to support a proliferated human presence on the lunar surface. This will be accomplished by working closely with small business and commercial entities who will provide the sustainable power infrastructure required by NASA.nbsp;In the proposed effort Opterus will work closely with current NASA Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) program participants to scale prior art 10 kW-class solar arrays and related critical components to field a second generation 50 kW-class deployable and retractable solar array solution. Opterus has engaged multiple VSAT participants including Lockheed Martin, Astrobotic, Honeybee Robotics, and Space Systems Loral (Maxar). Formal statements of support have been submitted by Lockheed Martin to drive Opterusrsquo; design towards a second-generation LM solar array.nbsp;Over the course of the Phase I structural requirements will be defined for a 60 kW R-ROMA, existing component designs will be scaled and critically analyzed to evaluate theoretical performance. Key components will be prototyped and experimentally demonstrated to validate a TRL 3, 50 kW-class R-ROMA design.
