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Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTI), a prominent U.S. pioneer in crafting featherweight, flexible, and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, has proudly announced a significant milestone. Their space PV array products, part of the Momentus Vigoride-6 mission, have attained spaceflight heritage.
The assembly comprised ASTI’s Plug & Fly solar panels integrated into Momentus’s Tape Spring Solar Array (TASSA), recently completing initial in-space testing. This achievement not only establishes NASA Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL9) for their products but also validates Ascent’s CIGS material, manufacturing, integration, and quality processes for space solutions.
The successful operation of Ascent’s bare PV modules in the space environment post-deployment, coupled with the validation from the on-orbit demonstration, further reinforces the robustness of the Company’s CIGS intellectual properties for space applications. Looking ahead, Ascent remains committed to developing higher efficiency lightweight products optimized for orbital use. Their Titan Space HDK line, derived from the Vigoride-6 flown PV modules, promises substantial spacecraft mass, cost, and schedule savings, with several megawatts of capacity slated for delivery in 2024.
Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, notes, “This demonstration not only solidifies Ascent’s position as a leader in space sustainability but also aligns with the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Charter. Our Space HDK products are engineered to sustain impacts from space debris without generating additional debris, significantly reducing mission risks for spacecraft equipped with our flexible thin-film power generation capabilities. These technologies are pivotal in preserving Earth’s orbits amidst increasing congestion and traffic.” |
