In a notable development within the space-tech domain, Solestial and Atomos Space recently declared a joint sales accord centered around Solestial's innovative solar blankets. Atomos has pledged to acquire a minimum of 20 kilowatts from these unique, radiation-hardened solar utilities.
This collaboration is poised for an official debut by February 2024. At that time, Atomos's premiere mission is expected to utilize Solestial's solar technology. The terms of the partnership also dictate that these solar blankets will serve as the chief energy source for Atomos's solar-electric orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) for the next two commercial projects, with a projected start towards the close of 2024.
Notably, both these companies hold the distinction of being alumni of the 2019 Techstars accelerator program. The upcoming 2024 missions will serve as a testament to the practical effectiveness of their combined tech advancements. This joint venture holds significant implications for both parties, furthering their shared objectives and bolstering their cooperative operational capabilities in the future.
A significant component of Atomos's strategy involves the development of high-powered OTVs. These are designed to address the diverse transport requirements of satellite operators in space. Here, Solestial's advanced technology becomes pivotal, allowing Atomos to undertake challenging missions with unmatched speeds.
Following their initial mission, Solestial's solar blankets are slated to power two OTVs. The intended use for these vehicles includes deploying satellite arrays in low Earth orbit (LEO) and managing relocation operations for satellites in differing orbits.
This agreement marks a transformative point for Solestial. Poised on the brink of widening its commercial initiatives, the company is also progressing with its tech evaluations. Corroborating Solestial's expertise, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in May affirmed the efficiency of Solestial's ultrathin silicon solar cells. These cells demonstrated the ability to recover from radiation-induced damage at sunlight temperatures reaching 90C. Such an advancement elevates Solestial's solar blankets, making them a viable and cost-efficient substitute for traditional space solar options, ideally suited for contemporary space missions.
Vanessa Clark, Atomos's Co-Founder and CEO, lauded their new partner, stating, "Solestial emerges as an invaluable ally in our vision. We discerned that the conventional space solar options were neither economically viable nor adequately abundant to bolster our high-power OTV blueprint. Our inclination towards Solestial stemmed from their unparalleled offering - a blend of unmatched solar array performance, resistance to radiation, and cost-effectiveness."
Stan Herasimenka, Solestial's Co-Founder and CEO, reciprocated the sentiment, saying, "We're profoundly influenced by Atomos's vision and deeply value the faith they've instilled in us. The space domain is currently brimming with innovations, and we're elated to be at the helm, propelling pioneering missions of this nature."
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