An Albuquerque company, specializing in the production of highly efficient and radiant-resistant compound semiconductors, is in line to receive nearly $24 million in federal funding for continued production and possible facility expansion.
Located at 10420 Research Road SE, the Rocket Lab company is one of only two companies in the country dedicated to manufacturing what are known as “space-grade solar cells” employed in space to convert light to electricity.
Those cells are regarded as vital to such US space program efforts as exploratory science missions and missile awareness systems.
Now the company has entered into a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms with the federal Department of Commerce that could greatly support its solar cell work.
The $24 million in funding is coming through the CHIPS and Science Act.
In a statement, Commerce Secretary Gia Raimondo noted that “solar cells are important for keeping our community and space technology powered and operational,” adding that funding will inevitably benefit the U.S. military, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the commercial space industry.
New Mexico Democrat Congress member Teresa Leger Fernandez, in a separate statement, remarked that with the new federal funding, “Our satellites won’t be dependent on foreign sources for solar power, and will instead use American-manufactured solar cells made from compound semiconductors.”
As envisioned, increased federal support for Rocket Lab’s work has the potential of increasing the company’s semiconductor output by at least 50% between now and 2027.
According to the Preliminary Memorandum of Terms announced by the Commerce Department, Rocket Lab will partner with the group New Space New Mexico to accelerate the pace of innovation in the Land of Enchantment, “alongside government, academic, and private stakeholders.”
Established in 2006, Rocket Lab is the parent company of space power provider SolAero Technologies Corporation.
By Garry Boulard
