Frontgrade Technologies, a provider company of mission critical electronics and electro-mechanical devices for aerospace and defense, is providing the SADA-150, a solar array drive assembly whose reliability and durability are ideally suited for the most stringent mission requirements, from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) applications.

Frontgrade’s SADA-150 technology is designed to improve the energy efficiency of solar power distribution onboard a spacecraft by accurately positioning and optimizing the orientation of its solar panels, which helps ensure a consistent, reliable power source for each mission. The SADA-150 is currently operating on spacecraft around MARS and on its surface, evidence of the system’s robustness in a deep space environment.

“The flight heritage of our SADA-150 represents Frontgrade’s ongoing commitment to deliver highly reliable, assured components for critical space applications,” said Lorne Graves, Chief Technology Officer at Frontgrade Technologies. “We focus on providing customers with SWaP-C products like our SADAs and rad-hard stepper motor controllers and ensuring that they meet critical design requirements for the most complex missions.”

Frontgrade leverages its extensive in-house qualification and functional testing capabilities across the company’s motion control portfolio, including the SADA-150. Each SADA runs through shock, vibration, and temperature testing to ensure its quality requirements for long-term mission durations.

As its name suggests, the SADA-150 has an inertial capability of 150 Kg-m2, which is custom designed with a harmonic gear reduction assembly, output position potentiometer, and space-grade twist capsule or slip ring assembly. These components are driven by Frontgrade’s industry-leading brushless stepper motor to meet any mission’s performance and reliability requirements.

Click here to learn more about Frontgrade's Standard Solar Array Drive Assembly 150