1U Membrane-based Deployable Solar Array Engineering Model Testing

Abstract

The paper outlines the results of the development and testing of a 100 W deployable solar array for SmallSats. DEAR is a joint project between DLR, Astronika, AZUR SPACE Solar Power and ESA and aims at the development and ground demonstration of a membrane-based, deployable 100 W solar array that can be stowed in and deployed out of a 1 U CubeSat volume. In the paper the main requirements for the development will be addressed which will lead to specific design constraints. Therefore, the design is mainly driven by the required 100 W power End-of- Life, its operation in a low Earth orbit environment for at least 5 years and its tight volume and mass restrictions. Especially in terms of mass and volume constraints these requirements demand that flexible or at least semi-flexible solar arrays need to be addressed for the problem solution. The paper will give an overview on the overall system design, the functionality of the deployment process and will present the results of the environmental and functional engineering model test campaign. An overview for the further planned in-orbit demonstration missions will be presented.