THORNTON, Colo. - Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a prominent U.S. manufacturer of flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules, has been selected to supply solar products for NASA's Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and AnTenna (LISA-T) mission. The launch is scheduled for this summer and aims to showcase the deployment of large-area arrays on small, cost-effective spacecraft.
The LISA-T mission, part of NASA's Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) series, will test small spacecraft capabilities in orbit, with the fourth mission focusing on power generation. Ascent's solar modules will play a critical role by providing three times more power than current alternatives within the same system envelope, thus enabling the mission's stringent mass and power budgets.
Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, expressed that the selection for the LISA-T mission is a result of the company's extensive collaboration with NASA to meet the challenging requirements of the spacecraft. Warley highlighted the mission as an example of successful public-private partnerships, propelling the use of innovative commercial technologies in governmental and commercial space initiatives.
Ascent's involvement with NASA includes prior evaluations of their PV products on the International Space Station. The company's modules, tested during the MISSE-X experiment, demonstrated the durability of their CIGS material in space. Further tests are planned with the upcoming MISSE payload on SpaceX's 30th Commercial Resupply Mission to the station in March.
The company's expertise is backed by a significant history in R&D and manufacturing, along with a broad patent portfolio. Ascent's solar panels have been utilized in various applications, from space missions to consumer products.
Ascent Solar's announcement is based on a press release statement.
InvestingPro Insights
As Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) prepares to showcase its solar products in NASA's upcoming LISA-T mission, a look at the company's financial health and market performance provides a broader context for investors. According to InvestingPro data, Ascent Solar has a market capitalization of $2.31 million USD, reflecting the size and scale of the company within the industry.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that ASTI operates with a significant debt burden and is quickly burning through cash, which could be of concern to investors given the capital-intensive nature of the solar technology industry. The company's stock price movements have been quite volatile, which may suggest a higher risk profile for the stock.
Moreover, Ascent Solar's price has fallen significantly over the last year and is trading near its 52-week low. This could be an indicator of the market's sentiment towards the company's prospects or a reflection of broader market conditions affecting the solar technology sector.
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