Flexible solar modules with performance-enhancing, low-cost prismatic encapsulation

This CCRPP project will drive the industrialization and commercialization of an innovative, NASA-supported prismatic silicone encapsulation technology for next-generation space solar arrays. This technology enables advanced solar power modules (SPMs) that are genuinely flexible, have up to 70% lower mass than conventional thick and rigid Ge solar cells with coverglass, and are less fragile. This enables new solar array architectures that are rollable and foldable, with up to 50% lower stowage volume than rigid panels. The encapsulation also increases output power by up to 4% by increasing the light captured by the solar arrays. This CCRPP will facilitate the scale-up of this significant technology for emerging commercial and defense satellite constellations and NASA lunar missions. Over the last fifteen years, MicroLink Devices has developed a thin-film solar cell technology that provides an unsurpassed combination of high efficiency (greater than 30% 1-sun AM0), light weight, and high flexibility. A proprietary epitaxial lift-off (ELO) technology developed by MicroLink can nondestructively remove the thin-film IMM epitaxial layer structures from GaAs substrates, creating solar cells that are not only highly flexible but also exceptionally light weight, with specific powers greater than 3000 W/kg. Reuse of the expensive GaAs substrate after ELO enables up to 50% lower materials costs. MicroLink has engaged with a diverse group of satellite customers to develop and validate the flexible SPM technology including Lockheed Martin, Maxar, Northrop Grumman, Redwire, Thales and Airbus Leiden. After successfully completing the full AIAA S-111A/S-112A qualification process in 2026, a broad range of commercial and defense satellite opportunities will open up. The technology scale-up and industrialization efforts supported by this CCRPP will be key for this transition.

Large NASA solar arrays using solar electric propulsion. Lunar VSAT arrays that require low mass and use rollable/foldable array designs for compact stowage. MicroLink is engaged with multiple commercial satellite manufacturers including Maxar, Airbus, Thales, Lockheed Martin, Redwire and Northrop Grumman. Applications include proliferated LEO satellite constellations and next-generation, rollable and foldable array architectures.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.