Astrix Astronautics develops inflatable, rigidized solar arrays for spacecraft, utilizing a novel deployment method that increases surface area by 20 times while reducing mass. This technology addresses the limitations of traditional silicon solar cells, providing powerful and affordable energy solutions with high production volumes and a robust supply chain.
Funding
$2.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current spacecraft designs face limitations in deployable surface area due to the constraints of launch vehicle size and weight, hindering the potential for increased power generation and expanded mission capabilities. Traditional rigid panel solar arrays rely on complex hinge mechanisms, which introduce deployment risks and limit scalability.
Solution
Astrix Astronautics offers inflatable, rigidized deployable structures for spacecraft, enabling a significant increase in surface area while minimizing mass and volume during launch. Their Copia technology utilizes an inflatable structure that expands in space and then rigidizes, creating a robust and reliable platform for solar arrays, antennas, and other deployable components. This approach replaces complex hinge systems with a simplified inflation mechanism, reducing deployment risks and enabling larger, more powerful arrays. The rigidization process ensures structural integrity independent of inflation gas pressure, meeting stringent lifetime requirements for space missions.
Target Audience
Astrix Astronautics serves satellite manufacturers, space agencies, and commercial space operators seeking to enhance spacecraft power generation, communication capabilities, and mission versatility.
Features
- Inflatable deployment mechanism enabling 20x increase in deployable surface area compared to traditional methods
- Rigidization process that hardens the inflatable structure after deployment, ensuring long-term structural integrity
- Copia product line configurable for various applications, including solar arrays, antennas, drag sails, and heat shields
- Compatibility with both silicon and triple junction solar cells, allowing for mission-specific performance optimization
- Single-axis deployment option for ultra-high rigidity and low rotational inertia in specific applications
- Flight heritage demonstrated through successful on-orbit deployment