A press release issued by Airbus Netherlands states that MDA Space has selected Sparkling Wing Solar panels for use with MDA Aurora Software Defined Satellites.
The order is for 200 Sparkwings to be used for Telesat Lightspeed satellite constellation of which MDA Space is the prime contractor.
Airbus said the solar panels “will be built on a designated line at Airbus’ high-capacity production facility in Leiden, the Netherlands.”
The Sparkwing consists of two wings with five panels (as shown above), each providing a photovoltaic area of over 30 square meters.
Airbus added that “Sparkwing is the world’s first commercially available solar system for small satellites. It was originally optimised for low orbit missions requiring power levels between 100 W and 2000 W.” Airbus said there are now “thirty different panel dimensions, configurable in deployable wings with one, two or three panels per wing, with only one actuation requirement (because there is only one tether per wing).”
Rob Postma, Managing Director of Airbus in the Netherlands, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as a solar panel supplier to partner with MDA Space for Telesat Lightspeed. Our Sparkwing industrialised solar panel product not only meets the demands of this innovative constellation project, but is also designed to ensure optimal performance in space. Sparkwing solar panels are designed for series production, are ideal for constellations and as a result, we will contribute to a project that enables space connectivity.”
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