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Lightweight Nanosatellite Deployable Array

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
97632 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
A092-120-0380 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
ARMY 09-120 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113 Bo, WA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Lightweight Nanosatellite Deployable Array
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W9113M-10-C-0075
Award Amount: $386,128.00
 

Abstract:

The proposed effort will develop an innovative deployable solar array capable of providing up to 80 W to a CubeSat. This deployable array design stows the solar panels within the f?~extra volumef?T allowed by the P-POD specification beyond the standard 10x10 cm CubeSat footprint, providing compatibility with most existing CubeSat components. The panel is pointed using a f?~Canfield Jointf?T gimbal, which can provide full hemispherical pointing to maximize orbit-average power generation. The design provides secure restraint of the panels prior to release from the P-POD, and the gimbal itself is used to initiate the panel deployment, eliminating the need for a separate release actuator. The panel fold-out sequence is mechanically staged to ensure reliable deployment without inter-panel collisions. During the Phase I effort, we fabricated and tested proof-of-concept prototypes of all key mechanical components of the proposed design, enabling the full panel to be developed in Phase II at low risk. The proposed CubeSat Deployable Array will prove exceptionally high power-per-mass capabilities on the order of 20 W/kg, and will enable the SMDC and other organizations to conduct flight mission that use the low-cost CubeSat platform to achieve demanding operational and tech-demo missions.

Principal Investigator:

Jeffrey Slostad
Chief Engineer
4254860100
slostad@tethers.com

Business Contact:

Robert Hoyt
President, CEO, & Chief S
4254860100
hoyt@tethers.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113 Bothell, WA 98011

EIN/Tax ID: 911834561
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No