Revolv Space prepares for inaugural in-orbit test of SARA system

Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025

Revolv Space prepares for inaugural in-orbit test of SARA system
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 26, 2024

Revolv Space has completed integration and testing of its Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA), known as SARA, on DPhi Space's Clustergate-1 platform, signaling readiness for its first in-orbit demonstration in early 2025. This mission marks a significant step for SARA, showcasing its ability to perform in the rigors of space and establishing its flight credentials.

SARA, designed for small satellites, offers up to 500W of power transfer per unit using a cost-efficient flexible PCB technology. It combines the benefits of sun-tracking solar wings with the reliability of fixed panels. Its SnapBack feature - a passive fail-safe mechanism - ensures the solar arrays return to their reference position in case of an anomaly. Additionally, SARA's integrated sun-tracking suite enables fully autonomous solar array orientation for maximum power generation.

This mission will utilize DPhi Space's Clustergate, a shared hosted payload platform designed for cost-effective deployment of space technologies. SARA's MONO version has been integrated and passed environmental testing on Clustergate ahead of its placement on D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier, known for its successful track record of fourteen consecutive launches.

"We went from contract signature to a fully integrated and tested flight unit in less than four months, thanks to SARA's technological maturity and excellent documentation, coupled with Clustergate's user-friendly interfaces and a seamless integration process by DPhi Space. This mission not only validates SARA's design and performance, but also strengthens our commitment to advancing satellite technology through strategic collaborations with leading companies like D-Orbit and emerging startups like DPhi Space," concludes Sala.

Aziz Belkhiria, CEO of DPhi Space, added, "Our collaboration with Revolv Space is a great example of how Clustergate helps flight prove novel developments and make them ready to be commercialized. We can't wait to receive the first telemetry of SARA from space and raise it to TRL 9."

Mission Scope and Future Initiatives
The upcoming mission will test SARA's deployment using the HOLLY hinge, both manual and autonomous actuation, and its fail-safe SnapBack mode. The effort underscores Revolv Space's commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance power systems tailored to evolving industry needs. To further enhance its technology, Revolv Space has secured an additional in-orbit demonstration with a European partner and is developing a larger SADA variant for bigger satellite platforms.

Revolv Space specializes in creating advanced power systems and mechanisms that maximize the capabilities of small satellites. Its range of Solar Array Drive Assemblies (SADAs) supports power outputs from 100W to 5kW and integrates redundancy and sun-tracking technology to optimize mission performance. Operating from Torino, Italy, and Noordwijk, Netherlands, the company focuses on innovation, customer satisfaction, and delivering cost-effective, fail-safe solutions on time.

DPhi Space, headquartered in Switzerland, simplifies space access by offering hosted payload platforms like Clustergate. By aggregating multiple payloads onto a single bus, DPhi lowers costs and enhances payload capabilities with advanced computing and streamlined integration processes.