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Solar power units will be supplied by Rocket Lab to U.S. satellites that warn about missile attacks

Science

Solar power units will be supplied by Rocket Lab to U.S. satellites that warn about missile attacks


By TechThop Team

Posted on: 28 Jul, 2022

Rocket Lab has announced that it will supply solar cells to Lockheed Martin to be used in missile warning satellites for the U.S. Air Force.

A recent agreement with Lockheed Martin committed the company to provide solar cells and radiation-hardened assemblies for the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites, scheduled to launch in 2025.

Satellites in this system will be operated by the United States Space Force and provide early warning of ballistic or tactical missile launches worldwide. 

Besides offering launch services, Rocket Lab manufactures satellites and other components that it acquired through acquisitions.

As part of its $80 million acquisition of SolAero Technologies based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company purchased the manufacturer of solar power systems. 

In addition to providing solar power units for NASA's Parker Solar Probe, the James Webb Space Telescope, and Mars Insight Lander, SolAero supplied solar power units for The OneWeb communications satellite constellation.

In the previous generation of missile-warning satellites, the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Lockheed Martin used SolAero systems. Six SBIRS satellites were produced by the company before the Space Force transitioned to Next-Gen OPIR satellites. 

Before SolAero was acquired by Rocket Lab, a deal to supply solar power units for Next-Gen OPIR satellites had been in the works.

Coverglass Interconnected Cell (CIC) assemblies will be supplied by Rocket Lab, which is designed to withstand extreme space radiation and thermal stress. CICs will be integrated into the solar arrays and panels of the Next-Gen OPIR spacecraft.

“We are excited to continue Rocket Lab's partnership with Lockheed Martin by powering Next Generation OPIR GEO satellites,” said Brad Clevenger, Rocket Lab's vice president, and general manager of space systems power solutions.

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