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technology1d ago
Dcubed to demonstrate in-space manufacturing of solar arrays
- Dcubed announces the ARAQYS-D3 mission to print a 15-meter solar array in orbit, planned for early 2027.
- The D3 mission will use an ESPA-class spacecraft about one meter on a side and deploy a 15-meter solar array.
- Dcubed plans precursor tests ARAQYS-D1 and ARAQYS-D2 in early 2026 to demonstrate smaller in-space manufacturing milestones.
- Dcubed intends to use terrestrial solar cells to cut costs from hundreds of dollars per watt to “double-digit” dollars per watt for certain missions.
- Dcubed aims to enable power beaming demonstrations and envisions very large future arrays, potentially hundreds of meters.
- Dcubed, planning collaborations, aims to supply arrays for lunar satellites and pursue customers including the U.S. Space Force and German military.
- The ARAQYS project derives its name from aranea (Latin for spider) and echoes Arrakis from Dune.
- Dcubed plans to test on SpaceX rideshares and collaborate with Astro Digital for the satellite bus.
- Dcubed’s approach targets megaconstellations and cheap satellites by enabling in-space manufacturing of solar arrays.
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