SBIR-STTR Award

Flexible Solar Arrays for Small Spacecraft Buses
Award last edited on: 1/17/2020

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$895,314
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF191-071
Principal Investigator
Stephen Steg

Company Information

Blue Canyon Technologies LLC (AKA: BCT)

1600 Range Street Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80301
   (720) 458-0703
   info@bluecanyontech.com
   www.bluecanyontech.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 02
County: Boulder

Phase I

Contract Number: FA9453-19-P-0675
Start Date: 6/5/2019    Completed: 6/5/2020
Phase I year
2019
Phase I Amount
$148,838
An increasing number of small satellite customers (Government and commercial) are planning projects that will require increasing amounts of power (1-3 KW) on a spacecraft that will be accommodated on variety of launch platforms. These advanced solar arrays must be large enough to collect 1-3 KW, yet stow into a compact volume, fit well with other spacecraft systems, and allow for tight integration with multiple spacecraft on the launch vehicle. As mission and power requirements can be highly variable, it is important that the solar array can be scalable to different physical sizes and power outputs. This project will provide a significant benefit for future customers as it will enable the design of a high-power solar array that can be easily integrated within the spacecraft, will work well with payloads, and will support DOD and commercial users. The performance goals of this SBIR that BCT will be targeting are 200W/Kg, a stowed volume of 30kW/m3, with a cost target that is significantly lower than $1000/W. The expected orbits include LEO, MEO, GEO with a lifetime of 5 years following a 5-year storage period.microsat,small satellite,Solar Arrays

Phase II

Contract Number: FA8650-21-C-9204
Start Date: 12/11/2020    Completed: 12/11/2022
Phase II year
2021
Phase II Amount
$746,476
Blue Canyon Technologies proposes to extend small spacecraft utility by designing and developing high-voltage, high-power solar array bus regulator componentry so that current microsat power architectures can take advantage of power systems in the 1000-2000 watt power range. This effort includes holistic critical system design, box-level system design, and mechanical accommodation for a flight-ready 2000 watt-class solar array. An engineering development unit bus regulator will be designed, built, and tested. A flight mechanical interface will be designed, built and tested. Performance of the electrical and mechanical systems will be analyzed and tested.