EMCORE, a provider of compound semiconductor-based products for solar power, satellite, fiber optic and broadband markets, has announced that its solar panels were on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft that was launched on November 26, 2011. The solar panels will power the spacecraft as it cruises to Mars.
MSL Spacecraft Mars Bound
The photovoltaic division of EMCORE in Albuquerque, New Mexico exclusively designed and manufactured the solar panels for the NASA space mission. The delivery of the solar panels was under a contract the company had with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center located in Pasadena, California. The MSL spacecraft has been designed to carry the "Curiosity" rover and also maintain communication with the entry vehicle that is designed to carry the MSL rover to the surface of the planet Mars.
EMCORE’s Chief Operating Officer, Christopher Larocca, stated that the company was proud about its contribution to NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission to Mars. EMCORE has already provided solar panels to many space missions. The company was also providing solar panels to Magnetospheric Multi-Scale mission and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, and the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer. Solar panels are also being supplied to the Commercial Resupply Services of the International Space Station.
EMCORE manufactures efficient radiation-hard solar cells for applications in space power. The cells possess a 30% beginning-of-life conversion efficiency. They also have an option of a monolithic bypass diode that is onboard and patented.
Source: http://www.emcore.com/