SolAero Technologies

What SolAero Technologies does

SolAero Technologies operates as the space solar cell business referenced within an end-to-end space company platform, manufacturing the highest-efficiency space solar cells and Covered Interconnect Cells (CICs) along with solar panels and substrates used to power spacecraft. The technology has flight heritage across more than 1,000 spacecraft, representing one of the broadest installed bases of any space power component supplier, and is positioned alongside other space-systems offerings including spacecraft platforms (Photon, Pioneer, Lightning, Explorer), satellite components (star trackers, reaction wheels, Frontier Radio, separation systems), Gauss Propulsion, composite structures, and flight/ground software operating across 50+ spacecraft for 150 cumulative years in space.

The business model is anchored on hardware sales of solar cells and panels to satellite manufacturers and operators, sold both as standalone components to third-party spacecraft programs and as integrated elements of internal spacecraft platforms. Distribution runs through enterprise field sales targeting commercial satellite operators and government agencies, supplemented by a 'Book My Launch' self-service channel for launch inquiries. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based, reflecting mission-specific requirements around payload, orbit, and service scope.

The customer base spans commercial satellite operators (including SAR constellation operator Synspective on a 10-consecutive-launch, 100%-mission-success relationship), civil space agencies (NASA selections for Sun and Earth sciences missions), and national-security customers (U.S. Space Force on-orbit satellite tracking mission delivered in record time). The broader platform serves the hybrid segmentation of responsive commercial launch, civil science, and defense customers with both dedicated and rideshare orbital services, suborbital hypersonic test (HASTE), and a medium-class launch vehicle (Neutron) under development.

Name

SolAero Technologies

Website

https://solaerotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Solar Cells

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Power Systems (Solar Arrays, Batteries, EPS) (IMABACAH)

Keywords

• Space solar cells
• Satellite power systems
• High-efficiency photovoltaics
• Solar panel manufacturing
• Space-grade solar cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Launch Services: Dedicated small launch services via Electron rocket, suborbital test launches via HASTE, and medium payload launch services via Neutron (in development). Offering both dedicated and rideshare options with tailored orbits and responsive scheduling.
2. Spacecraft Solutions: Complete spacecraft design and manufacturing including Photon, Pioneer, Lightning, and Explorer spacecraft platforms for various mission profiles.
3. Satellite Components: Sale of satellite subsystems and components including solar cells/CICs, star trackers, reaction wheels, radios, separation systems, propulsion, and composite structures to satellite operators and manufacturers.
4. Software Solutions: Flight software, mission simulation software, and ground software solutions for spacecraft command and control.
5. Space Solar Solutions: World-leading space solar cells and CICs (Covered Interconnect Cells) providing power to spacecraft, including solar panels and substrates.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SolAero Technologies manufactures high-efficiency space solar cells and CICs (Coverglass-Interconnected-Cells) used to power satellites and other spacecraft. The company's space solar cells power over 1,000 spacecraft and are recognized as the highest efficiency space solar cells in the market. SolAero also provides solar panels and substrates for spacecraft power generation, serving satellite manufacturers and operators in the commercial and government space sectors.

Product overview

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering a comprehensive portfolio of launch services and spacecraft solutions. The offering spans a multi-vehicle launch family including Electron (small dedicated launch), HASTE (hypersonic suborbital testbed), and Neutron (medium-class launch vehicle in development). The spacecraft portfolio includes Photon, Pioneer, Lightning, and Explorer platforms for various mission profiles. Supporting infrastructure includes world-leading space solar cells/CICs powering over 1000 spacecraft, flight-proven satellite components (star trackers, reaction wheels, radios), separation systems (Advanced Lightband, Motorized Lightband, Satellite Dispensers), Gauss Propulsion, composite structures, and industry-leading flight and ground software with 150+ cumulative years of space operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Space Solar Cells/CICs Highest efficiency space solar cells and CICs (Coverglass-Interconnected-Cells) providing power to over 1,000 spacecraft. Used by satellite manufacturers and operators for power generation on spacecraft and satellites.
• Solar Panels & Substrates Solar panel solutions and substrates for spacecraft power generation, used by satellite manufacturers and operators to integrate solar power systems into their spacecraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26 satellites launched by Electron rocket
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Firefly Aerospace: Smallsat launch provider operating Alpha, with an MLV variant in development for Space Force. Closely comparable in mission profile (dedicated and rideshare small launch for commercial and government payloads) and in competing for the same responsive space and NASA contracts as Rocket Lab's Electron and HASTE.
• Spectrolab (Boeing subsidiary): Long-standing manufacturer of high-efficiency space solar cells and panels, supplying civil and defense satellites. Directly comparable as a space solar cell and CIC competitor that Rocket Lab's solar business benchmarks itself against on efficiency and heritage.
• Relativity Space: Emerging launch and spacecraft manufacturer developing the 3D-printed Terran R medium-lift vehicle. Directly comparable to Rocket Lab as a next-generation competitor targeting the same medium-lift, constellation-deployment market that Neutron is built to serve.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Origin: Privately held space company developing New Shepard, New Glenn, and broader space systems. Comparable as a large-cap, vertically oriented space competitor pursuing both launch services and spacecraft/subsystem offerings for civil and defense customers.
• United Launch Alliance (ULA): Incumbent U.S. launch joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing operating Atlas V, Vulcan Centaur, and Delta IV Heavy. Comparable as a U.S. government-focused launch provider serving NASA, DoD, and Space Force, with overlapping responsive/medium-lift ambitions as Rocket Lab's Neutron ramps.
• SpaceX: Dominant U.S. launch provider operating Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship. Sets pricing and cadence benchmarks across small, medium, and heavy launch; also competes downstream via Starlink satellite buses and in-space solar/power supply internally. Comparable as the primary U.S. rival across launch and constellation deployment.
• Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Major U.S. defense prime producing satellites, spacecraft buses, propulsion, and space solar arrays for government customers. Comparable as a deep-spacecraft-and-components incumbent competing for the same NASA/DoD contracts that anchor Rocket Lab's government backlog.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solaerotech
• Facebookfacebook.com/solaerotechnologies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/6424715

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SolAero Technologies