SolAero Technologies
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
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.
SolAero Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- 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
SolAero Technologies industry classification
Industry- 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
Where SolAero Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
SolAero Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- Spacecraft Solutions: Complete spacecraft design and manufacturing including Photon, Pioneer, Lightning, and Explorer spacecraft platforms for various mission profiles.
- 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.
- Software Solutions: Flight software, mission simulation software, and ground software solutions for spacecraft command and control.
- 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
SolAero Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use SolAero Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SolAero Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature12 records
SolAero Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SolAero Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
SolAero Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceSolAero Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SolAero Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SolAero Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SolAero Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SolAero Technologies
What does SolAero Technologies do?
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.
Is SolAero Technologies a public or private company?
SolAero Technologies is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was SolAero Technologies founded?
SolAero Technologies was founded in 2001. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is SolAero Technologies based?
SolAero Technologies is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does SolAero Technologies make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Launch Services are the primary driver. The others are spacecraft Solutions, satellite Components, software Solutions and space Solar Solutions.
Who are SolAero Technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Firefly Aerospace, Spectrolab (Boeing subsidiary) and Relativity Space. Broad incumbents are Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA), SpaceX and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.
Does SolAero Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for SolAero Technologies.
What industry is SolAero Technologies in?
SolAero Technologies's product category is Space Solar Cells. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAH, Space Power Systems (Solar Arrays, Batteries, EPS). Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 3760.