Roid Rage Safe Enough to Try
Mar 20, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of solar technology as the hosts explore the design challenges of asteroid missions. Discover how lightweight solar panels are engineered to meet the demands of electric propulsion while balancing mass constraints. Hear about the iterative design spiral that minimizes risks and enhances reliability through rapid testing. The podcast also delves into the environmental benefits of asteroid mining and the potential to transform resource extraction beyond Earth. Plus, learn how fan engagement is shaping the future of space missions!
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Power Needs Drive Lightweight Design
- Astroforge needs ~1.6 kW on a ~200 kg spacecraft, forcing extremely mass‑efficient panels.
- That requirement makes traditional glass triple‑junction panels effectively infeasible due to mass.
Don’t Fix Problems With Extra Mass
- Avoid solving engineering problems by simply adding mass; it kills cost and launch feasibility.
- Prioritize cutting mass early because every kilogram multiplies downstream costs and complexity.
Odin’s Panels Don’t Scale To Vestry
- Odin used rigid glass triple‑junction cells and produced ~180 W, which scaled poorly to Vestry's needs.
- Pure glass cells alone would add ~30 kg, making them nearly a non‑starter for Vestry.