ATK Wins Contract to Develop Lightweight Solar Array for NASA; David Shanahan Comments
Solar Array
ATK has won a $6.4 million contract from NASA’s space technology program to develop the “MegaFlex” solar array, according to a company statement.
“We are honored to win this program to develop the future space exploration power platform for NASA,” stated David Shanahan, vice president and general manager of ATK aerospace group’s space components division.
ATK is developing MegaFlex at its space components division in Goleta, Calif. to meet power demands of 350 kilowatts and higher. It uses very low mass and small stowed volume for future space exploration missions using solar electric propulsion.
NASA will use MegaFlex to develop a lightweight and compact solar array structure under a game-changing technology competition.
Under NASA’s 18-month phase 1 technology development program, the solar array size of the MPCV UltraFlex, about 40 feet in diameter, will be doubled.
MegaFlex’s technical readiness level will be raised through hardware development and verification testing.
ATK said it will develop a flight-ready version of MegaFlex in preparation for a future space flight demonstration during the follow-on phase 2 technology development contract.
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