Atomic 6 receives 2M Area Power award to advance subsequent technology photo voltaic arrays
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 07, 2025
Atomic-6 has secured a $2 million Tactical Funding Enhance (TACFI) from the U.S. Area Power’s Area Programs Command to speed up improvement of its Mild Wing photo voltaic array. The award helps a 21-month effort to mature and qualify the know-how for business and protection missions.
The all-composite Mild Wing array gives greater than 4 occasions the power-per-kilogram of present methods, optimized for high-energy orbital duties together with communications, compute operations, and area station assist. Testing milestones embody composite materials validation, cell compatibility trials, and Thermal Vacuum and Vibration testing to simulate launch and area circumstances.
The photo voltaic array’s structure minimizes shifting components and employs monostable composite hinges, enhancing reliability and enabling repeatable retraction and deployment cycles. This design unlocks new potential for Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) missions by lowering deployment failure, the main reason behind satellite tv for pc loss.
Value Forbes, a specialist area insurance coverage dealer underneath Lloyd’s of London, is participating insurers to familiarize them with the Mild Wing know-how, probably resulting in diminished premiums for satellite tv for pc operators utilizing the array.
Former ISS Commander Chris Hadfield has joined Atomic-6’s advisory board to information market entry methods. “After a number of spacewalks and orbital mechanism deployments, I do know the worth of straightforward, mild, robust, highly effective photo voltaic arrays,” Hadfield stated.
Echoing this sentiment, astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski added, “Having repaired a reside photo voltaic array whereas spacewalking, I can attest that Atomic-6’s Mild Wing delivers the proper mix of simplicity and sturdiness that area missions really want.”
Sidus Area not too long ago chosen Mild Wing arrays to energy the primary business lunar information facilities in collaboration with Lonestar Knowledge Holdings. “As we develop the capabilities of our LizzieSat platform… we’re proud to collaborate with companions who provide cutting-edge applied sciences,” stated Sidus Area CEO Carol Craig.
With $2.7 billion in contract requests already on document, Atomic-6 is positioning Mild Wing as a foundational know-how for cislunar and orbital protection functions. CEO Trevor Smith famous, “It is immensely gratifying to be the important enabler for our prospects, empowering them to attain the mandatory scale and cadence for achievement.”
The corporate designs and manufactures superior composite elements for excessive environments, leveraging proprietary methods developed by in-house engineers and supplies scientists.
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