2017

Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) tested on orbit

Traditional solar panels used to power satellites can be bulky with heavy panels folded together using mechanical hinges. When launching into space, mass and volume are important and ROSA is far lighter and smaller in volume than rigid panel arrays. It is a flexible and rollable solar array like a measuring tape wound on its spool. The new solar array design rolls up to form a compact cylinder for launch with significantly less mass and volume, potentially offering substantial cost savings as well as an increase in power for satellites. This Space Vehicles program was successfully deployed from the International Space Station in June 2017.