Airbus Netherlands B.V. has selected New Mexico startup mPower Technology to provide solar power modules for more than 200 satellites. Although the value of the contract has not yet been disclosed, it is likely one of the largest space power module contracts ever announced, and the largest for mPower.
Under the agreement, starting in 2025, mPower will supply DragonSCALES solar modules to Airbus for MDA Aurora, the software-defined satellites being built for communications constellations including Canadian satellite operator Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation. These modules are capable of generating 1.1 megawatts of power for 200 Airbus Sparkwing solar arrays. Each solar array consists of two wings with five panels apiece covering more than 30 square meters.
DragonSCALE modules for the Sparkwing solar arrays will be produced on an automated high-volume production line in New York operated by Universal Instrument Corp., owned by Delta Electronics. For the Airbus contract and other customers, mPower and Universal Instrument intend to expand production. The line already has capacity to manufacture modules that can produce 1.5 megawatts per year. In 2022, mPower raised $10 million in a Series B investment round to scale up production of its interconnected photovoltaic cells, which are designed to be more customisable, flexible and inexpensive to produce than traditional solar cells.
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