Above: Orbital and Ascent Solar awarded USAF contract for PV production in space

Above: Orbital, Inc. has been awarded a contract from the United States Air Force to develop on-orbit manufacturing of thin-film solar photovoltaics (PV) in partnership with Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. The Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Award is to develop a solar heated crucible for the manufacturing of lightweight, thin-film solar PV on orbit. This technology will enable the development of mass-efficient PV cells that meet the demand of Air Force and Space Force Systems. The Air Force has a vital and urgent need to deploy lightweight, robust, and affordable solar PV across the globe as well as in space to meet operational power requirements for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles, forward operating bases, and space-based power beaming. Above: Orbital has already begun to make an impact in multiple commercial sectors with use cases ranging from in space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing to photonics and space tourism.