Rocket Lab gets funding to boost solar cell capacity
California-based Rocket Lab has received a $23.9 million CHIPS and Science Act award to expand its semiconductor manufacturing capacity for space-grade solar cells and electro-optical sensors for national security space missions.
Rocket Lab is one of only two companies in the US that specialises in making high efficiency, radiation hardened, space-grade compound semiconductors. Its solar cells have powered a number of space missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s Artemis lunar explorations, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, and the Mars Insight Lander.
With help from this award, the company aims to double production capacity of compound semiconductors and space-grade solar cells, from 20,000 wafers to nearly 35,000 wafers per month; provide US spacecraft manufacturers and the wider aerospace industry with access to US produced semiconductor and electro-optical technologies; and expand its ability to rapidly deliver integrated spacecraft systems purpose-built for US national security.
Rocket Lab VP of Space Systems, Brad Clevenger, said: “Our leadership in American-made semiconductor technologies is built upon more than 25 years of engineering and manufacturing excellence in New Mexico. These latest investments will expand that production capacity, strengthen supply chains, create new jobs, and develop economic opportunities across the states where we operate – and are additional examples of Rocket Lab’s commitment to delivering reliable and cost-effective solutions at scale to the space industry.”
