ALBus

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ALBus [NASA]

ALBus (Advanced eLectrical Bus) is a 3U Cubesat nanosatellite developed by NASA's Glenn Research Center.

It is a technology demonstration mission of an advanced, digitally controlled electrical power system capability and novel use of Shape Memory Alloy technology for reliable deployable solar array mechanisms. The goals of the mission are to demonstrate: efficient battery charging in the orbital environment, 100 Watt distribution to a target electrical load, flexible power system distribution interfaces, adaptation of power system control on orbit, and successful deployment of solar arrays and antennas utilizing resettable shape memory alloy mechanisms.

The payload consists of a deployable array retention and release mechanism using shape memory alloys and an advanced digitally controlled power management and distribution system.

It was selected in 2015 by NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) to be launched as part of the ELaNa program. It was launched on the ELaNa-19 mission.