Astrobotic’s Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) is a key technology that will be used to harness solar energy for our commercial lunar power grid is being prepped to enter thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing in Chamber A at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
This follows recent testing of our rover for VOLT, or VSAT Optimized for Lunar Traverse, at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. VOLT brings together the 65+-foot-tall solar array in partnership with Redwire Space being tested now at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, with a minivan-sized lunar rover.
Astrobotic plans to unveil the fully-assembled VOLT engineering unit during the annual Keystone Space Conference, which is scheduled for October 28-29, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA.
More About LunaGrid
LunaGrid is a solar-based power generation and distribution service that will deliver power by the Watt to landers, rovers, habitats, science suites, and other lunar surface systems. The service will enable systems from companies, governments, universities, and non-profits to survive the lunar night and operate indefinitely at the lunar south pole.
(above) A rendering of LunaGrid, delivered to the Moon by Astrobotic’s Griffin lunar lander. The system is composed of several VOLT’s and a tethered CubeRover with a wireless charging node.