Lightweight Deployable Solar Reflectors
- Stanford University researchers are developing lightweight, low-cost modular solar reflectors for use on the Moon.
- The reflectors will be designed to concentrate sunlight into permanently shadowed areas of the Moon, potentially powering photovoltaics or other applications.
- The team will utilize recently developed origami design algorithms to enable compact and reversible stowage of paraboloidal shell structures without cuts or slits.
- These solar reflectors could also be used for deep-space missions, solar thermal propulsion, or thermal mining.
- The project aims to create a sustainable energy solution for future lunar missions, with the potential to extend human presence on the Moon and beyond.
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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Manan Arya
Stanford University
This grant will design and develop lightweight, low-cost modular solar reflectors that can be stowed for transport in a compact volume. These reflectors can potentially be used to reflect and concentrate sunlight into a permanently shadowed area of the Moon where it could power photovoltaics. These reflectors could also potentially be used for concentrated photovoltaics for deep-space missions, solar thermal propulsion, or for thermal mining. The team will use recently developed origami design algorithms to allow for compact and reversible stowage of paraboloidal shell structures without any cuts or slits.
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Last Updated
Apr 18, 2025
Editor
Loura Hall
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Q. What is the main goal of this grant?
A. The main goal of this grant is to design and develop lightweight, low-cost modular solar reflectors.
Q. Where can these solar reflectors be used?
A. These solar reflectors can potentially be used to power photovoltaics in a permanently shadowed area of the Moon, as well as for deep-space missions, solar thermal propulsion, or thermal mining.
Q. What technology will be used to allow for compact and reversible stowage of paraboloidal shell structures?
A. The team will use recently developed origami design algorithms to achieve this.
Q. Who is leading this research project?
A. Manan Arya from Stanford University is leading this research project.
Q. What is the purpose of the ECF 2024 Quadchart Arya.pdf?
A. Unfortunately, the text does not provide information about the content of the ECF 2024 Quadchart Arya.pdf.
Q. What type of structures will be used in the solar reflectors?
A. The solar reflectors will use paraboloidal shell structures.
Q. Why are these solar reflectors considered “lightweight” and “low-cost”?
A. These solar reflectors are designed to be lightweight and low-cost, making them suitable for space missions where resources are limited.
Q. What is the potential benefit of using these solar reflectors in deep-space missions?
A. The use of these solar reflectors could provide a reliable source of power for deep-space missions.
Q. Who will benefit from this research project?
A. This research project aims to benefit the space technology community, particularly those involved in deep-space missions and solar energy applications.
Q. What is the expected outcome of this grant?
A. The expected outcome of this grant is the design and development of functional lightweight, low-cost modular solar reflectors.