PHOTON CubeSat Solar Arrays
AAC Clyde Space
The PHOTON CubeSat Solar Arrays are a range of highly reliable, low-mass solar panels designed for maximum power generation and ease of integration into CubeSat platforms, compatible with various deployment mechanisms.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.33 kg
- Power
- 3 W
- TRL
- 9
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Telemetry available
- Temperature Sensors & Coarse Sun Sensors
- Cell type
- XTJ Prime (others available on request)
- Power generation
- Up to 9 W per 3U populated face
- Operating temperature range
- -40°C to +80°C
- Photon-dd - 3u size only stowed height
- 9.55 mm
- Photon-dd - 3u size only mass (3U)
- 330 g
- Photon-dd - 3u size only details on substrate
- FR4
- Photon-dd - 3u size only hdrm
- Thermal knife/cord
- Photon-td - 3u size only stowed height*
- 9.5 mm**
- Photon-td - 3u size only mass (3u)*
- 330 g
- Photon-td - 3u size only details on substrate
- FR4 cell substrate
- Photon-td - 3u size only details on frame
- Aluminium support structure
- Photon-td - 3u size only hdrm
- Thermal screw release
- Photon-side - 1u; 2u; 3u and 6u face sizes avaliable stowed height
- 3.5 mm
- Photon-side - 1u; 2u; 3u and 6u face sizes avaliable mass (3U)
- 135 g
- Photon-side - 1u; 2u; 3u and 6u face sizes avaliable details on substrate
- FR4
- Photon-sd - 1u; 2u; 3u face sizes avaliable stowed height
- 7 mm
- Photon-sd - 1u; 2u; 3u face sizes avaliable mass (3U)
- 310 g
- Photon-sd - 1u; 2u; 3u face sizes avaliable details on substrate
- FR4
- Photon-sd - 1u; 2u; 3u face sizes avaliable hdrm
- Thermal knife/cord
- TRL
- 9
- Flown since
- 2014
About
The AAC Clyde Space PHOTON solar panels are engineered for maximum power generation and seamless integration into CubeSat platforms. These panels are utilized in AAC Clyde Space’s own missions and are available in various configurations, designed to be compatible with the AAC Clyde Space ZAPHOD structure range. Side solar panels are specifically designed to fit the side panels of CubeSat structures, optimizing power generation from any satellite side. The range includes body-mounted, single, double, and triple deployed solar panels, leveraging the latest manufacturing techniques to deliver highly reliable, low-mass, high-density power generation solutions. They are designed to fit within the majority of CubeSat deployment mechanisms.
Universally featuring 30.7% efficient Spectrolab XTJ-Prime solar cells, PHOTON solar panels are constructed using a cost-effective combination of FR4 substrates, either alone or combined with a specially developed lightweight aluminium support structure, depending on the required size of the deployable array. This product benefits from decades of on-orbit heritage and proven deployment mechanisms. The panels are constructed from low out-gassing materials and are supplied staked and head-locked for flight. Each array is designed to be compliant with applicable NASA GEVS vibration testing and undergoes illumination testing and thermal cycling prior to shipment. Each Photon product comes packaged in a protective container, suitable for storage before final integration.
The PHOTON range supports 3U to 12U form factors and offers body, single, double, and triple deployment options. Temperature and coarse sun sensors are included. The design features a proprietary low profile and robust, reliable construction with lightweight aluminium framing. These solar panel solutions have an unparalleled track record in orbit, utilizing PCB Substrate with space-grade Kapton coverlay and Spectrolab XTJ-Prime solar cells as standard. They are restowable during testing with a redundant hold-down release mechanism. PHOTON solar arrays are designed to withstand NASA GEVS qualification testing and are compatible with AAC Clyde Space ZAPHOD Structures, meeting ISS Crewed Flight design requirements when combined. They are delivered in a rugged container suitable for storage before integration. Custom solar arrays are available upon request.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.