Solestial to accelerate the production of space with $ 12 million Spacewerx contract
Solestial, Inc., a developer of silicone-based solar technology for space applications, has obtained a direct-to-phase II SBIR price of $ 1.2 million from Spacewerx. The financing supports the design and testing of the next generation, multiorbital solar panels tailor -made for small satellite platforms.
With the subsidy, solestial plans are to optimize its lightweight, radiation hardened solar cells and modules for fast production and integration. The effort includes the development of new electric interconnects and culminates in a rapid prototype demonstration. The company wants to manufacture 1 kilowatt of solar cells and modules over a two -week sprint, then compile and integrate a fully functional sun wing in another two weeks, which shows that complete solar panels can be manufactured within a month.
The initiative focuses on important challenges that have been identified by the Department of the Air Force (DAF), in accordance with the dedication of Solestial to promote US national defense opportunities. DAF launched the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 to broaden the technological solutions it finances.
“This is a meaningful price for us that will result in critical research and development that benefit the US Space Force,” said Margo de Naray, Solestial CEO. “Long production times for production have plagued the established solar technology for space. Through our use of affordable, accessible silicon and automated production of solar cells and solar energy modules, Solestial is unique to resolve this critical bottleneck and support mission.”
Solestial has so far received more than $ 7 million in SBIR financing from agencies, including the US Space Force, US Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA and the National Science Foundation.
The pronounced views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Ministry of Air Force, the Ministry of Defense or the US Government.
