Advanced Flexible Thin Film PV (FTFPV) Ultra Flex Solar Array System

ATK Space Systems (formerly AEC-Able Engineering Co.)

Goleta, CA
 

INNOVATION 

An advanced FTFPV UltraFlex solar array system that represents a near-term and low-risk approach to implementing FTFPV technology to demonstrate state-of-the-art performance

• Fully functional prototype gore assembly and panel coupons with United Solar amorphous silicon FTFPV was successfully designed, manufactured and tested (shown to right)
  
• All key components were tested in relevant thermal and LEO plasma environments
  
• Achieved successful verification of key technologies leading to low cost and low mass
  
• Wing system preliminary design level completed to allow for accommodation of FTFPV technologies
  
• Current TRL 5, blanket coupons tested for 1 year in space on MISSE-5 Experiment; hardware undergoing post-flight evaluation
  

• Currently seeking opportunities with civil and military customers including NASA, AFRL, California Space Authority (CSA), and Boeing
  
  

• ATK’s UltraFlex-175 Solar Array System has been selected as a validation experiment on the NASA ST8 New Millennium Program (late 2008 launch)
  
• Received Phase 3 funding of ~$154K for design, production and test of a fully functional gore assembly with ITN Energy CIGS FTFPV
  
• Suitable for most all missions; potential to provide >200-250W/kg BOL with 15% FTFPV devices
  
• UltraFlex design has been base-lined by Lockheed Martin to power the NASA Orion service module
  
  

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings 

Curator: SBIR Support                  12/28/06