Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) and Ascent Solar Technologies (Nasdaq: ASTI) have unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at introducing state-of-the-art solar arrays to the market. This collaboration combines Momentus’ innovative Tape Spring Solar Array (TASSA) technology with Ascent’s high-performance, lightweight photovoltaic modules. With the increasing demand for cost-effective and reliable solar arrays in the rapidly growing satellite industry, Momentus and Ascent are joining forces to offer a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the evolving needs of customers.
Building on the success of the TASSA pathfinder demonstration launched aboard the Vigoride-6 mission a year ago, Momentus plans to enhance the next iteration of TASSA with a high-power photovoltaic array. This advancement aims to further improve the performance and cost-efficiency of TASSA, leveraging Ascent’s space-optimized Titan Modules for enhanced power generation.
TASSA, integrated with Vigoride hardware, provides a complete array subsystem equipped with rotation actuators and controllers, streamlining spacecraft assembly and testing processes. Its design facilitates responsive launches and enables efficient satellite packing configurations, maximizing payload fairing capacity.
Rob Schwarz, Momentus CTO, highlights TASSA’s capability to generate substantial power at a minimal cost, benefiting small satellite missions by enabling kilowatt-level power generation without compromising mass or budget constraints. TASSA’s retractable and re-deployable features enhance spacecraft resilience by minimizing exposure to orbital hazards and facilitating longer mission durations.
Paul Warley, ASTI CEO, emphasizes the resilience of Ascent’s photovoltaic modules in space environments, offering increased end-of-life power with significantly reduced mass. This collaboration aims to provide sustainable solutions for space missions, catering to the needs of emerging space architectures.
Through this partnership, Momentus and Ascent are poised to deliver a next-generation solar array solution that addresses the growing demands of the space industry, offering enhanced performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability for satellite missions.
