Maxar Selects SolAero for Power and Propulsion Element of NASA Gateway

SolAero Technologies headquarters in Albuquerque, NM. Photo: Sandia Science & Technology Park

SolAero Technologies, a provider of  solar cells, solar panels, and composite structural products for satellite and aerospace applications, was awarded a contract by Maxar Technologies to power the Power and Propulsion Element of NASA‘s Gateway. Under the terms of the contract, SolAero will design and manufacture Solar Power Modules (SPMs) that will supply nearly 70 kilowatts to the Gateway as part of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration plans, which will enable future missions to Mars.

The SPMs will be designed and manufactured in SolAero’s production facility in Albuquerque, New Mexcio. The SPMs will incorporate SolAero’s latest generation, quadruple-junction “Z4J” solar cells, and utilize automated assembly methods pioneered by SolAero for high-volume production of satellite solar panels and modules.

“SolAero has had the honor of participating in over 30 NASA missions in our 20 year history and we’re once again very proud to have the opportunity to support NASA on a trailblazing endeavor,” said Brad Clevenger, President and CEO of SolAero. “We’re also excited to continue working with our longtime partners at Maxar to bring our latest generation solar cell technology and advanced manufacturing capability to the Power and Propulsion Element.”