Inflatable Rigidizable Solar Array for Small Satellites

Abstract

With today’s high launch costs, and tightening launch opportunities, low mass, cost, and packaged volume can determine the mission feasibility. L’Garde has developed the Inflatable Torus Solar Array Technology (ITSAT) to supply power to the growing fleet of small satellites in the 1kW class making forays into the space market. The ITSAT configuration with low mass and stowage volume and the inherent reliability of inflatably deployed structures is an excellent solution for these low power applications. The ITSAT is able to provide power densities more typical of a much larger system, despite its small scale.