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Green technology

Solestial Selected for $1.2 Million Contract to Develop Novel Solar Array Wing for Small Satellites

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Solestial, Inc. has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract worth $1.2 million to develop a novel, fast-to-manufacture solar array wing concept for small satellites. This award enables Solestial to optimize its low-mass, radiation-hardened silicon solar cells and solar power modules for fast integration and assembly, and addresses pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force. The project aims to demonstrate the manufacture of a complete solar array wing in just one month, a significant improvement over traditional manufacturing lead times.

Key Takeaways:

  • Solestial has been awarded more than $7 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from various government agencies, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, and NASA.
  • The company's breakthrough technology is a silicon solar cell engineered to self-cure radiation damage under sunlight at operating temperatures as low as 65°C.
  • Solestial's solar cells are packaged in ultrathin, low-mass, flexible solar power modules designed to withstand up to 10 years in various space destinations.
  • The flexible solar power modules can be produced on automated machines, resulting in costs lower than traditional III-V multijunction solar products.
  • The award will enable Solestial to optimize its solar cells and modules for fast integration and assembly, and develop novel module electrical interconnectors.
  • The project will culminate in a two-week production sprint to manufacture 1 kilowatt of solar cells and modules, followed by a two-week solar array assembly and integration run.
  • The aim is to demonstrate that a complete solar array wing can be manufactured in just one month, addressing the pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force.

Statistics:

  • The contract award is worth $1.2 million.
  • Solestial has been awarded more than $7 million in SBIR contracts.
  • The company's solar cells can withstand operating temperatures as low as 65°C.
  • The flexible solar power modules can be produced on automated machines.
  • The project aims to demonstrate the manufacture of a complete solar array wing in just one month.
  • Since its alignment under AFRL in August 2021, SpaceWERX has awarded over 1,470 contracts worth more than $1.46 billion.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire press release, "Solestial Announces Selection by SpaceWERX for Direct-to-Phase II Contract" (July 16, 2025)
  • SpaceWERX website, "About Us" page (visited on [current date])
  • Solestial website, "About Us" page (visited on [current date])

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