Inflatable Solar Array
(ITSAT2)
The ITSAT2 was L'Garde's flight version of the prototype Inflatable Solar Array (ISA) which was tested for ARPA. In addition to being flight qualified,
the ITSAT2 contained the following improvements:
- New smaller diameter inflatable/rigidifiable spiral-wound aluminum-laminate tubes. These tubes are smaller, lighter, and have larger design margins
than the originals.
- Miniaturized inflation tank was added to save weight.
- Active venting system to reduce the risk that leaks would propel the host spacecraft.
- New instrumentation including blanket tension, accelerometers, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors were added to improve our understanding
of the array's performance while on-orbit.
Technology currently under development at L'Garde will provide power densities of about 112 Watts/Kg in the power output range of 500 Watts and up
The ITSAT2 sports minimalist structure to keep its weight very low.
Technician tests solar cell strings using high-intensity light source.
The packaged ITSAT in its carbon-fiber composite canister is tested on L'Garde's own vibration table.
The ITSAT has orthogonally-folded struts and panels to help minimize the deployment envelope.
Artist's composite of the L'Garde Inflatable Solar Array on a planetary mission.
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