Inflation and rigidization is 20x more space efficient and 4x more mass efficient. In addition, inflation negates the drawbacks of silicon solar cells, leading to powerful, affordable arrays with a strong supply chain (the world’s best simultaneous $/W and mass-per-watt ratios). Drag sails, antennas and other deployables are available. This technology has flight heritage.
Our deployment technology drastically increases the deployable area on spacecraft. The novel deployment method provides 20x the surface area and decreased mass.
The increased deployable area more then negates the decreased efficiency of silicon solar cells. Astrix’s inflatable solar array with silicon solar cells is powerful, affordable, and has a strong supply chain by avoiding use of triple junction cells.
Copia provides up to 300 watt/kg solar arrays utilising triple junction solar cells.
Inflation replaces a complex network of hinges with a single inflatable component and allows unprecedented packing densities.
Rigidisation is a hardening process that takes place after deployment. This ensures permanent structural integrity of the array independent of inflation gas, enabling Copia to meet stringent lifetime requirements.
Copia enables large deployed areas from small spaces, providing high power, low lead times, affordability and high production volumes. The option of triple junction or silicon solar cells optimises array performance for each mission.
Copia is highly configurable. A single-axis deployment configuration provides ultra high rigidity, especially low rotational intertia in one axis, and simplified deployment moments.
Astrix combines innovative designs and manufacturing processes with rigorous ground and flight test campaigns to produce high-performance, reliable components with a strong supply chain.
Ground-based and space-based testing roadmap available on request.
On July 10, Astrix presented in a New Zealand session at the CubeSatPlus conference. Astrix’s CTO and co-founder Will Hunter presented alongside Sarah Kessans (University of Canterbury School of product …
The University of Auckland’s Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship writes about Astrix Astronautics: https://www.cie.auckland.ac.nz/newsroom/astrix-astronautics-explores-power-generation-in-space/
It is exciting to reflect on what space technology enables in our everyday lives, and New Zealand’s rapidly increasing capabilities in this industry. This article in the NZ Herald brings …
