Astrobotic Wins NASA Contract for Large Lunar Solar Array Development

Astrobotic Wins NASA Contract for Large Lunar Solar Array Development
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 08, 2024

Astrobotic has been chosen by NASA for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award worth about $150k to create an Extra Large Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT-XL) for the Moon. The VSAT-XL, measuring 34m in height and 12.5m in width, is set to become the largest planned lunar power infrastructure to meet increasing energy needs on the lunar surface.

Building on the 10kW lunar VSAT already being developed by Astrobotic under a current NASA contract, the VSAT-XL is a deployable, relocatable, self-leveling, sun-tracking solar-powered system. However, it aims to boost power output from 10 kW to 50 kW.

"As the pace and scale of lunar exploration grows over the next decade, generating, storing, and transmitting power to lunar surface assets will be a critical infrastructure need for permanent lunar settlements," said Lauren Whitehouse, Lead Structures Engineer at Astrobotic, "Our team is excited to incorporate multiple matured technologies into the development of a first-of-its-kind VSAT unit at this massive scale."

The VSAT-XL system will integrate engineering solutions developed by Astrobotic, including those for its lunar landers and rovers, and the advanced 10 kW VSAT system. It will also utilize Roll Out Solar Arrays (ROSA) from Redwire Space. This system is ideal for placement near polar craters, where its tall vertical arrays can capture solar energy at shallow sun elevations.

"There is no existing lunar surface power generation and transmission solution that can satisfy the next generation of power needs at the 50 kW scale and above," said Whitehouse, "We are developing both static and mobile variants, which means VSAT-XL will be designed to integrate with both landers and rovers, and will be grounded in Astrobotic and Redwire's mature power systems."

VSAT-XL is a component of the LunaGrid system, Astrobotic's power generation and distribution service for sustained human and robotic operations at the Moon's south pole. LunaGrid aims to provide power to support crewed and robotic operations for extended periods, including Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) deliveries, larger decadal science missions, commercial payloads, and the Artemis campaign, which will require substantial lunar surface power.