LISA-T Microgravity Deployment Demonstration

Status: Completed

Start Date: 2018-09-05

End Date: 2020-04-06

Description: The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and AnTenna (LISA-T) Microgravity Deployment Demonstration explores solutions to providing power for CubeSats with specific power generating and stowage requirements. Researchers deployed two configurations of the LISA-T system – an integrated solar array stowed at an extremely compact volume – in a microgravity environment during two parabolic flights. This test demonstrated deployment in a microgravity environment, advancing the design and reducing overall system risk for subsequent missions. Problem Statement LISA-T - Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and AnTenna is an integrated solar array that is deployed from an extremely compact volume. The LISA-T system is customizable for power requirements and attitude capability for the host spacecraft and is configured to deploy as either a planar array (high power applications) or an Omni-directional array (no pointing required). Technology Maturation A ZERO-G flight provides the best means to test deployment kinematics that are unique to the microgravity environment which cannot be fully replicated through static 1G testing.
Benefits: LISA-T is powerful, extremely compact, and customizable based on the requirements of the host spacecraft. It supports the area, volume, and mass allocation for powering CubeSats that current technologies cannot provide. This would benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, and other government agencies. Future Customers • Future NASA missions with small spacecraft • Other government agencies including U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Air Force Research Laboratory • Companies including NeXolve, Microcosm, Dynetics, and others

Lead Organization: Nexolve Holding Company, LLC