News

18 September 2009

 

Emcore lands $17m satellite solar deal

US defense contractor Northrop Grumman has signed a long-term deal with Emcore to secure volume supplies of high-efficiency solar cells.

Northrop Grumman will deploy the multi-junction cells, which are based on III-V materials and manufactured using MOCVD at Emcore’s facility in Albuquerque, in a variety of satellite missions.

The deal runs through 2012 and will yield Emcore up to $17m in sales over the full period.

Emcore’s radiation-hard cells, designed specifically for satellite power applications, are now said to have a conversion efficiency of 30% on initial deployment in space.

Although expensive, the superior performance of these types of device over silicon-based cells has made them the dominant technology in satellite power.

Northrop Grumman’s aerospace systems division is currently working on a number of satellite missions, for applications including space-based climate monitoring.

For example, the division is the prime contractor for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program. When eventually launched, the low-Earth-orbiting NPOESS spacecraft is expected to deliver much-improved data on weather and climate.

It is hoped that the data gathered by the NPOESS will aid in reducing the potential loss of human life and property by allowing more efficient disaster planning and response to severe weather conditions such as tornadoes and floods.

“Our proven manufacturing capabilities and unsurpassed reliability heritage make Emcore the supplier of choice for demanding spacecraft power systems,” says Emcore’s chief operating officer Christopher Larocca said of the latest deal. “We look forward to working with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems to power their satellite missions for many years to come.”

See related item:

Emcore secures long-term contract to supply Space Systems Loral with III-Vs-based multi-junction solar cells

Search: Emcore Northrop Grumman Multi-junction solar cells MOCVD

Visit: www.emcore.com

Visit: www.as.northropgrumman.com

Visit: www.ipo.noaa.gov

The author Michael Hatcher is a freelance journalist based in Bristol, UK.