Roll-Out Solar Array Technology will Enable Lunar Power Infrastructure

Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) technology developed by Redwire is being used by Astrobotic Technology for its Lunar Vertical Solar Array (VSAT) program. Astrobotic was awarded a contract from NASA in 2021 to create initial designs for vertical solar array technologies and a follow-on contract in 2022 to further advance VSAT systems.

“With this new application of ROSA technology, Redwire is continuing to provide next generation lunar infrastructure solutions for critical lunar activities."

Redwire EVP Adam Biskner.

Redwire’s roll-out solar array system for Astrobotic will be a new use case for flight-proven ROSA technology. It will have dual motors to allow for expanded operations on the Moon by establishing the capability to extend and retract the ROSA multiple times over the lifetime of the system. The system will also deploy and retract vertically on the lunar surface.

“With this new application of ROSA technology, Redwire is continuing to provide next generation lunar infrastructure solutions for critical lunar activities, which will enable new scientific discovery, long-term operations, and humanity’s permanent presence on the Moon," said Redwire EVP Adam Biskner.

“Astrobotic’s VSAT system is the foundation of our future lunar power and infrastructure aspirations. Our VSAT is mobile, can be flown to the Moon on a single lunar lander, and leverages highly mature components, such as Redwire’s ROSA. The ROSA system’s proven legacy is a win for the program,” said John Landreneau, Project Manager of the Astrobotic VSAT Program.

Roll-Out Solar Array Technology will Power Multiple Systems

To help provide power for the various activities on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis program and beyond, NASA requires vertical solar arrays that can autonomously deploy at least 32 feet high and retract for relocation if necessary. Through VSAT, ROSA will be a key enabler of sustainable and reliable power to support critical lunar surface activities and infrastructure, including lunar habitats, rovers, and construction systems.

Redwire‘s roll-out solar array technology is compact, modular and scalable, making it a foundational building block for a variety of missions requiring dependable, flexible and reliable power solutions in space. ROSA is a flexible solar array with composite booms that are rolled up. When installed, each ROSA unit unrolls using the inherent stored strain energy in the booms, giving ROSA an advantage over other traditional technologies.  

As of December 31, 2022, two pairs of International Space Station (ISS) ROSAs are augmenting power on the ISS. In September, ROSA technology powered NASA’s DART spacecraft to impact asteroid Dimorphos, successfully altering the asteroid’s orbit. Redwire is also producing various versions of ROSA for other government and commercial spaceflight applications including the Power and Propulsion Element for NASA’s Gateway program, a part of the agency’s Artemis program, and the Ovzon 3 geostationary orbit spacecraft, which are both being built by Maxar. 

(Source: Redwire news release. Images provided and from file)