MAFSA: Mars Autonomous and Foldable Solar Array

Abstract

Abstract

As we look toward Mars for the next frontier of space exploration and colonization, there is a need to prepare supporting technologies that will allow humans to live on the Red Planet for an extended duration. This article explains the design for a low-mass, autonomously deployable solar array that generates the required power for scientific, habitat, and in situ resource utilization functions necessary for humans to exist on Mars. The Mars Autonomous and Foldable Solar Array (MAFSA) can fit within a 10 m³ stowed volume and deploy to a 1,000 m² surface with a mass of <1,500 kg. The Triangular Rollable and Collapsible booms, developed by Roccor, are the foundation of the design. Their ability to wrap in a stowed configuration allows for a stowage performance that rivals inflatable architectures and still provides a similar structural performance to that of rigid booms when deployed. While MAFSA is currently intended for Mars use, it can be equally effective on the Moon where inflatable designs are unable to utilize an atmosphere.