Development and qualification of a complete miniaturised Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) suitable for future utilisation on 6U/12U CUBESAT platforms in order to enable deployable and steerable solar arrays generating significantly increased power for RF payloads, high-speed downlink and electric propulsion.

 

 

Current trend in CUBESAT design is towards increased complexity, volume and power consumption. In this roadmap, a miniaturised SADA would be an enabling technology for various applications and mission designs e.g. LEO constellations with high ?V deployment/End-of-Life deorbiting capabilities, with high power RF payloads for EO and telecom, small interplanetary missions using miniaturised electric propulsion.

 

The activity will mature existing developments currently at TRL3 to a fully qualified device, suitable for future technology demonstration on 6U/12U CubeSat missions, comprising:

• Micro slip-ring suitable for continuous orientation

• Drive motors and control units

• Hold-down and release mechanism

• Yoke and hinges for solar panels

• Solar panels structure

In option, an autonomous solar tracking system, enabled by sun-sensors mounted on the solar panels, shall be considered for decentralised steering control.

The final power transfer output for the 6U/12U configuration shall target up to 90W for two wings.

The SADA system shall comply with CubeSat standard interface and volumetric constraints for common CubeSat deployment systems.

The activity will encompass the following tasks:

• Requirements specification and design trade-offs

• Mechanical and electrical system design for both 6U and 12U configurations

• Manufacturing and assembling of EM and QM

• Functional Tests at unit level, Life Tests, Radiation and Qualification Tests (mechanical/thermal)

The activity will bring the product up to TRL6 after successful