Autonomous and Fail-Safe Solar Array Rotary Actuator for Small Satellites

Revolv Space’s solar array rotary actuator (SARA) is an innovative autonomous and fail-safe solar array drive assembly designed to enhance the power generation capabilities of small satellites. Its sun-tracking capability operates independently of the satellite's onboard computer. Equipped with embedded coarse sun sensors and advanced drive electronics, SARA functions akin to a "space sunflower." It enables continuous payload operations by autonomously optimising solar panel orientation, thereby maximising energy intake without requiring constant communication with the satellite bus. Its unique fail-safe mechanism, SnapBack, ensures that solar panels return to a default configuration in case of anomalies, maintaining power positivity under challenging conditions. This is a hardware-level backup, automatically reorienting the solar arrays to a pre-selected safe position in the event of a system failure, thereby preventing mission downtime.

• Autonomous operation needs no commands from the satellite’s onboard computer, reducing operational complexity
• Fail-safe mechanism ensures, in the event of a failure, solar panels return to a default orientation, maintaining power generation and mission continuity
• Enhanced power generation due to continuously optimising solar panel orientation, increasing the orbital average power and enabling longer payload operation times
• Compact & lightweight design, offering a high-performance solution without significant mass or volume penalties
• Scalable and adaptable for larger satellite platforms up to 500 kg, broadening its applicability

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