RUAG Space has been awarded a satellite power subsystem program by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). For AFRL, RUAG Space will develop a configurable Rapid Electronic Power Subsystem (Rapid EPS) for satellites which will dramatically cut the lead time and cost of the power subsystem. This project leverages aspects of RUAG’s overall Rapid EPS development and supports RUAG Space’s ability to supply Rapid EPS to the U.S. Government/DoD markets.
Initially, this effort began with discussions led by Niklas Boman, Product Group Spacecraft Director of Marketing and Sales, focused on securing RUAG’s involvement in the US government’s initiative to create a Resilient Space Structure for defense purposes. “This project is a decisive door opener for further projects with the U.S. Government,” said André Wall, CEO RUAG International.
Program management will be led by Kellenie Lopez, Senior Project Manager based in Denver, under Mike Allen, Director of Electronic Systems. The program will be supported from both Product Unit Mechanism in Zurich headed by Oliver Kunz with John Ransdell serving as Project Manager and Product Unit Interface Electronics in Tampere, Finland, lead by Timo Hänninen with Juha Kuitunen as Project Manager. Additionally, staff in Denver and Titusville, Florida will provide engineering design and satellite manufacturing capability.
The Rapid EPS will be designed to enable rapid configuration and rapid delivery of systems in various sizes and, furthermore, at a cost point that makes reconstitution and upgrades for satellites in Low Earth Orbit an attractive proposition in comparison to the current systems that are typically highly optimized and the result of long, nonrecurring engineering-intensive projects.In addition to studies, the hardware deliverables consist of a Solar Array Regulator demonstrator and a Solar Array Wing demonstrator. Both products will be assembled and tested in Titusville, Florida.
