A news release issued by Airbus Netherlands states that MDA Space has selected the Sparkwing solar arrays to be used with MDA Aurora’s software-defined satellites.
The order is for 200 Sparkwing’s which will be used for the Telesat Lightspeed satellite constellation of which MDA Space is the prime contractor.
Airbus stated that the solar arrays “will be built on a designated line at Airbus’ high-capacity production facility in Leiden, the Netherlands.”
The Sparkwing consists of of two wings with five panels (as shown above), with each providing a photovoltaic area of well over 30 sqm.
Airbus added that the “Sparkwing is the world’s first commercially available, off-the-shelf solar array for small satellites. It was originally optimised for Low Earth Orbit missions that require power levels between 100W and 2000W.” Airbus said there are now “thirty different panel dimensions, configurable into deployable wings with one, two or three panels per wing, with single actuation need (due to only one hold-down per wing).”
Rob Postma, Managing Director of Airbus in the Netherlands said, “We are delighted to be selected as the supplier of solar arrays to partner with MDA Space for Telesat Lightspeed. Our industrialised Sparkwing solar array product not only meets the demands of this ground-breaking constellation project, but is also tailored to ensure optimal performance in space. The Sparkwing solar arrays are designed for series production, ideally suited for constellations, and we will accordingly contribute to a project enabling space connectivity.”
