Solestial Secures $1.2M Contract for Rapid Solar Wings

• Solestial Inc secures $1.2M to revolutionize space solar tech with rapid, ultralight silicon cells, slashing satellite power system lead times.

Solestial Inc, a US space-solar company, has secured a $1.2 million Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract from SpaceWERX, the innovation hub of the US Space Force. The Phoenix-based firm will use the funding to enhance its ultralight, radiation-hardened silicon cells and demonstrate the rapid production and integration of a 1-kW solar-array wing within 30 days. This process includes a two-week cell-manufacturing sprint followed by a two-week assembly phase.

Solestial's innovative, flexible, low-mass modules aim to reduce the long lead times associated with traditional satellite power systems. CEO Margo de Naray highlighted the potential to eliminate critical bottlenecks and improve mission readiness by combining affordable silicon with automated manufacturing. This contract is part of the US Department of the Air Force’s Open Topic SBIR program, designed to expedite space-system deployment. Solestial has now attracted over $7 million in SBIR funding from various agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.

How will Solestial's new contract impact satellite power system production and deployment?

• Accelerated Production: Solestial's contract will enable faster production timelines for satellite power systems, reducing the typical lead times from months to just 30 days.
• Enhanced Efficiency: The use of ultralight, radiation-hardened silicon cells will improve the efficiency and durability of satellite power systems, making them more reliable in harsh space environments.
• Cost Reduction: By combining affordable silicon with automated manufacturing processes, Solestial aims to lower the overall costs of satellite power systems, making them more accessible for various space missions.
• Increased Deployment Speed: The rapid production and integration capabilities will allow for quicker deployment of satellite systems, enhancing mission readiness and responsiveness.
• Bottleneck Elimination: The innovative approach to manufacturing and assembly is expected to remove critical bottlenecks in the satellite power system supply chain, streamlining the entire process.
• Strategic Advantage: The improvements in production and deployment speed will provide a strategic advantage for the US Space Force and other agencies, allowing for more agile and flexible space operations.
  
• Broader Impact: The advancements made possible by this contract could set new industry standards for satellite power systems, influencing future designs and manufacturing processes across the space sector.