Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares gained 2.4% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the space technology company introduced IMM Apex, a new germanium-free solar cell designed for satellite and other space applications.
The product removes the need for germanium substrates traditionally used in multi-junction space solar cells, addressing concerns around material costs and supply chain availability.
Rocket Lab said IMM Apex offers a Beginning of Life solar conversion efficiency of 31.5%, while reducing cell mass by 40% compared with conventional alternatives.
The solar cell has also been designed as a drop-in replacement for existing products, allowing customers to incorporate the technology into current systems without significant retooling.
IMM Apex builds on Rocket Lab space technology
IMM Apex is based on Rocket Lab’s existing inverted metamorphic multi-junction cell technology, which was used to power NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter and has been deployed on satellites for more than a decade.
The company said the underlying technology has undergone more than 10 years of testing and qualification.
Brad Clevenger, President of Rocket Lab USA, said the new product “delivers exceptional performance while addressing real-world challenges like rising material costs and supply chain constraints.”
Rocket Lab has previously supplied space-grade solar technology for major programmes including the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration programme.
According to the company, more than 1,100 satellites currently operating in orbit use Rocket Lab solar products.
Rocket Lab expands solar cell production
Rocket Lab said manufacturing optimisation and capital investment have enabled it to produce the new cells at multi-100-kilowatt volumes as it responds to growing demand for space-based power systems.
IMM Apex is now available for customer orders.
The launch expands Rocket Lab’s space systems portfolio while providing satellite manufacturers with an alternative to conventional germanium-based solar cells at a time of increased focus on supply chain resilience and spacecraft efficiency.
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