DARPA approved high power generation subsystem

[Carrickagh]

<p>The Boeing HPGS system might have uses for interplanetary journeys. I also wonder if any of this, on a larger scale, could be leveraged toward a larger scale Solar Power Satellite...</p><p><span class="story"><font size="2"><font face="Arial"><font color="#000099"><strong>From the Boeing website:</strong></font></font></font></span></p><p><span class="story"><font size="2"><font face="Arial"><font color="#000099"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></font></font></span><span class="story"><font size="+0"><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font size="+0"><strong>A team led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] Advanced Systems has been awarded a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract for the first phase of the Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed (FAST) program.</strong></font> DARPA's <strong>FAST</strong> is a multiphase effort to design and develop a ground test prototype of a new <em>High Power Generation Subsystem</em> (<strong>HPGS</strong>) for spacecraft. During <strong>Phase 1</strong>, Boeing will develop a complete plan for a demonstration system. Team members include <strong>DR Technologies</strong>, <strong>Northrop Grumman Astro Aerospace</strong>, <strong>Texas A&M University</strong>, <strong>Spectrolab Inc</strong>. (a Boeing subsidiary), and key suppliers. The Boeing HPGS is an innovative integration of solar-concentrator, power-conversion, and heat-rejection systems supported with an ultra-lightweight structure and deployment system for pointing toward and tracking the sun. When combined with electric thrusters, the Boeing HPGS will produce a lightweight power and propulsion system capable of providing responsive spacecraft maneuverability for on-orbit servicing, space-based situational awareness, and high-power payloads such as communication and radar systems. Upon DARPA approval, the Boeing team will perform <em>Phase 2</em> work to include fabrication, assembly and testing of two HPGS test articles to validate performance characteristics in simulated space environments. An on-orbit demonstration of the system may be conducted following the ground test program.</font></font></font></font></span></p><p><span class="story">***</span></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[docm]

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