Astrix Astronautics: The Kiwi startup sending scalable solar power solutions into space
https://www.startmate.com/writing/astrix-astronautics-the-kiwi-startup-sending-scalable-solar-power-solutions-into-space
Astrix has designed a simple but highly effective deployment mechanism that unlocks the current constraints on solar arrays. We are halving the costs of current solar arrays and providing a plug-and-play system that is easily customizable, opening a secure supply chain in the process. This technology has been tested in space and is currently undergoing its final R&D for our first product.
Our space tested deployment technology drastically increases the deployable area on spacecraft. The novel deployment method provides 20x the surface area and decreased mass.
With the deployable area increase, we also offer the use of less efficient silicon solar cells, gaining the benefits of lower cost and faster production, while still being highly competitive on power generation.
An increase to surface area increases the maximum power density achieved by deployable arrays. With Copia, we can obtain up to 300 watts/kg utilising triple junction solar cells.