Solar power startup mPower Technology, headquartered in Albuquerque, will have its technology evaluated for use in space as part of a satellite launch undertaken by Lynk Global Inc.
The technology, called DragonSCALES, is a solar solution offered by mPower that uses customizable silicon cells. The technology is flexible and designed to withstand harsh space environments. The cells can be interconnected using "semi-conductor type assembly processes," and the modules can be customized to meet certain design considerations, according to the company.
Lynk's deployment of DragonSCALES represents the first launch of the platform into low-earth-orbit. The data collected from the research endeavor will help validate its performance in space. As part of the project, Lynk will analyze its "benefits of lower mass, high packing factor, reliability, flexibility and competitive cost point," according to a July 13 release from mPower.
"We believe mPower's solar cell technology holds great promise and will use this flight test to validate their technology," said Tyghe Speidel, co-founder and CTO of Lynk Global, in a statement. "Our 'rapid-do-learn loop' development strategy includes bringing innovations by subsystem partners along for the ride."
Founded in 2015, Virginia-based Lynk aims to provide universal mobile connectivity with a space-based satellite platform.
MPower has also worked with other organizations to verify the usefulness of its solar technology in space. Those efforts include one to design a "vertically deployable solar array" system for the surface of the moon as part of a NASA project. Such systems may, one day, be used to recharge rovers, battery packs and other electrical equipment used by spacecraft and astronauts.
To date, mPower has disclosed $5.3 million in investment in Securities and Exchange Commission filings. About $1.3 million has reportedly been converted into equity securities in connection with an offering. Its technology was initially developed at Sandia National Laboratories as part of a larger project, CEO Kevin Hell and CTO Murat Okandan previously told Business First.
The company previously received a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the Army, per the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
MPower was incorporated in Delaware in 2014, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State. The company's corporate headquarters are located at 5901 Indian School Road NE in Albuquerque with an additional office in Carlsbad.
