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Tony Mueller has helped shape the evolution of space power, leading one of the industry’s most respected space solar organizations through a period of enormous technological change. In this edition of Beyond the Grid, he shares his perspective on how the industry has evolved, why power is becoming strategic infrastructure, and what today’s space companies …

Featuring Dr. Azam Arastu—space power pioneer, aerospace engineer, former Boeing Technical Fellow, former Boeing and Spectrolab executive, and President of AstroSmart Enterprises, Inc.—on why the future of space power is evolving from a spacecraft subsystem into the critical infrastructure that will enable the next generation of space missions ranging from mega constellations, orbital and interplanetary …

Featuring insights from Matt Kaplan, Managing Director at Shield Capital, and Dave Blivin, Founder and General Partner at Cottonwood VC Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” a Q&A series that explores the critical role of power in space. Through conversations with investors, operators, and technologists, we examine how energy infrastructure is shaping the next phase of …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., January 21, 2026 – mPower Technology, Inc., the leader in flexible solar power for space, today announced the appointment of four senior executives to its leadership team. These hires follow a period of significant momentum for the company, including the launch of the world’s first automated, high-volume space solar production line and a …

Featuring an interview with the leadership team at mPower Technology Welcome back to Beyond the Grid, our ongoing Q&A series exploring how power shapes the future of space. In this edition, we go deep on one of the most fundamental constraints in the space economy: how you actually manufacture power at scale. mPower Technology recently …

New Mexico-based mPower Technology has started automated, high-volume production of its space-grade solar modules in New York, the company announced Nov. 11 as it ramps up to meet demand from satellite constellations. “Typically, it’s a very manual process,” mPower CEO Kevin Hell said in an interview, “very high-touch labor, very expensive — and it hasn’t …

Initial Capacity of 1 MW/Year to Double by Mid-2026   Albuquerque, NM — Nov. 11, 2025 — mPower Technology, Inc. (“mPower”), the solar technology company transforming space power with its DragonSCALES™ solar modules, today announced the official launch of a new high-volume solar module production line at Universal Instruments Corporation (UIC) in Conklin, New York. …

Series B expansion will fuel growth of leading space solar tech with proven on-orbit performance   ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., August 26, 2025 – mPower Technology, Inc.,   the leader in flexible solar power for space, today announced a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures, the venture arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The investment is an add-on to mPower’s recent Series …

Featuring an interview with Mike Cassidy, Serial Entrepreneur and Space Industry Leader Welcome to Beyond the Grid, our Q&A series exploring the evolving role of power in space. In each edition, we sit down with innovators shaping the future of energy and propulsion beyond Earth. Today’s guest is Mike Cassidy, a veteran of both terrestrial …

Solar energy tech company mPower Technology Inc. is set to rapidly scale its manufacturing capacity following the closure of its latest eight-figure funding round. mPower announced last month that it secured more than $21 million in Series B funding, led by Virginia-based firm Razor’s Edge Ventures. The funding will primarily be used to stand up the …

Featuring an interview with Matt Kaplan, Analyst at Shield Capital Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” our exclusive Q&A series where we explore the pivotal role of power in space. In each interview, we bring you insights from leaders driving innovation in space technology. Today, we’re joined by Matt Kaplan, Analyst at Shield Capital, a venture …

mPpower Technology, a solar power system maker focused on solutions for space, has captured $21 million in Series B capital to support its efforts at scaling production capacity for national security and commercial markets. A spinout of Sandia National Laboratories, mPower was stood up to commercialize the DragonSCALES product that uses microdesign and microfabrication techniques to make …

mPower Technology, a leading provider of solar power solutions for space, announced it has raised over $21 million in Series B funding led by Razor’s Edge Ventures and joined by Shield Capital. What the funding will be used for: The new funding will be used to further scale production capacity and continue the advancement of DragonSCALES. …

Space-based solar power manufacturing specialist mPower Technology announced it secured a $21 million Series B funding led by Razor’s Edge Ventures and joined by Shield Capital. “This new funding from highly regarded space sector investors that focus on national security, is a testament to the confidence our customers have in our proven ability to rapidly …

TAMPA, Fla. — New Mexico-based mPower Technology said May 8 it has raised about $21 million in a Series B funding round to mass-produce its silicon-based solar power modules. Six satellites are currently using the venture’s interconnected photovoltaic cells in orbit, CEO Kevin Hell told SpaceNews, but hundreds more are under contract and slated to launch …

Space solar power startup mPower Technology closed a $21M Series B to help scale production of its solar modules. Razor’s Edge Ventures led the round, which also included participation from Shield Capital. The funding allows mPower to expand its automated manufacturing line for its flexible solar array tech as well as grow its workforce, CEO …

Latest Financing Will Ramp High-Volume Manufacturing and Accelerate Deployment for Next-Gen Space Missions   ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 8, 2025 – mPower Technology, Inc., the leading provider of solar power solutions for space, announced it has secured over $21 million in Series B funding led by Razor’s Edge Ventures and joined by Shield Capital. The new funding will …

Featuring an interview with Bailey Reichelt, Founding Partner at Aegis Space Law Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” our Q&A series where we delve into the critical role of power in space. In each interview, we bring you insights from leaders at the forefront of space technology, policy, and innovation. Today, we feature Bailey Reichelt, Founding …

An mPower Technology White Paper The commercialization of space is poised to be one of the most transformative yet challenging arenas for innovation this decade. Terrestrial industries —telecommunications, defense, and now artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers — are rapidly pushing into the frontier of space. And, in order to flourish, these space missions will …

Featuring an interview with Matt Gill, CEO of Space Radiation Services Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” our Q&A series where we delve into the critical role of power in space. In each interview, we bring you insights from leaders at the forefront of space technology. Today, we feature Matt Gill, CEO of Space Radiation Services, …

mPower CEO, Kevin Hell appeared as a guest on T-Minus Space Daily, the only daily space podcast providing the latest news and insights along with leading experts from industry, academia, research organizations, government and more. Host Maria Varmazis chatted with Kevin about the trajectory of the space solar market, the interesting applications emerging in the …

CARLSBAD, CA – Solar energy tech company mPower Technology, Inc. was chosen this month by international aerospace giant Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide solar power cells for a line of satellites from Canadian space tech company, MDA Space (TSX: MDA). mPower, which is jointly headquartered in Carlsbad and Albuquerque, New Mexico, will provide its DragonSCALES …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Solar energy company mPower Technology, Inc. in Albuquerque, N.M. has been chosen by Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide solar power modules (SPMs) for the Sparkwing solar arrays in support of the MDA AURORA satellite program. The MDA AURORA program is a next-generation satellite communication (SATCOM) system designed to support software-defined satellites and …

SAN FRANCISCO – New Mexico startup mPower Technology announced a contract Oct. 3 with Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide solar power modules for more than 200 satellites. “It’s one of the largest space power module contracts ever announced, and clearly the largest for mPower,” Kevin Hell, mPower president and CEO, told SpaceNews. The value of …

Agreement with Airbus to Supply over 1.1MW of solar modules for the wings of MDA AURORATM satellites   ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 3, 2024 – mPower Technology, Inc., the emerging solar provider of choice for Space 2.0, today announced its selection by Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide Solar Power Modules (SPMs) for the Sparkwing solar arrays that Airbus …

Featuring an interview with Maureen Haverty, Principal Investor at Seraphim Space Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” a Q&A series that delves into the pivotal role of power in space. Through interviews with leaders in space technology, we explore the challenges, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of space power. In this installment, we had an …

Featuring an interview with Mark Miner PhD, PE, Head of Mission Sciences Welcome to “Beyond the Grid,” a Q&A series where we delve into the pivotal role of power in space. Through interviews with leaders in space technology, we explore the challenges, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of space power. In our inaugural interview, …

An mPower Technology White Paper LEO constellations have experienced significant growth in recent years, driven in part by the dramatic reduction in launch costs led by SpaceX and others. Recoverable, low-cost commercial launch vehicles have exponentially reduced the cost of putting a satellite into orbit. This dramatic growth is necessarily forcing a massive rethink of …

Space Logistics and Mobility An mPower Technology White Paper Space logistics plays a pivotal role in the next generation of Space 2.0 missions, enabling the intricate coordination and management of resources, transportation, and infrastructure in space. By streamlining operations, reducing costs, and enhancing overall mission success, space logistics is essential to establishing a robust space …

Space Power for the Moon and Beyond An mPower Technology White Paper Commercial and government activity in space is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by rapidly increasing levels of investment and the simultaneous decline of launch costs. Ambitious Space 2.0 programs, once deemed impossible just a few years ago, are now not only being contemplated but are being funded and …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. and THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – February 28, 2023 – Innovative space solar technology company, mPower Technology, and independent advanced aerospace structures and solar panel manufacturing company, GTM Advanced Structures (GTM-AS), announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic manufacturing partnership to support mPower’s ability to deliver low-cost, high-volume space solar panels …

Space-based Solar Power, Enabled by DragonSCALES An mPower Technology White Paper Humankind is turning its attention to space again with renewed ambition and investment, and along with this will surely come an ever-increasing need for energy and for power. It is the fundamental enabler for all activity in space. Life support, communications, mining, propulsion, sensors, …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – December 13, 2022 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, Inc., announced today that its DragonSCALESTM solar power system will be used as the solar power solution for the Gravitics StarMaxTM space station modules. Gravitics is leading the way in a new era of human presence in space with the introduction of …

mPower Technology Selected by OneWeb for Innovation Program Demonstration DragonSCALES solar modules to be evaluated for next-generation constellation design ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – October 18, 2022 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, Inc., announced today that its DragonSCALES™ solar modules have been selected by global space-based communications company, OneWeb, for an innovation program demonstration. The …

Honeybee Robotics and mPower Technology Selected by NASA to Provide Lunar Power Grid for Artemis Exploration Portable, flexible, and deployable solar array to support human and robotic exploration ALTADENA, Calif. and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – August 30, 2022 – Honeybee Robotics, LLC., a leader in technology and product development for advanced planetary surface robotics and spacecraft …

mPower Technology DragonSCALES Powers Lynk Global Tower 1 Satellite​ Flexible silicon solar modules selected as power source for space cell tower ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 13, 2022 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced that its DragonSCALES™ solar power modules were selected by Lynk Global, Inc., (Lynk) the world’s leading satellite-direct-to-phone telecoms company, to …

mPower’s customized DragonSCALES silicon solar modules to provide cost-effective power solution for orbit-raising missions ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 14, 2022 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced that its DragonSCALES™ solar power modules have been selected by Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an emerging leader in economical launch vehicles, spacecraft, and in-space services, to provide solar …

mPower Technology, a solar company operated out of Carlsbad, announced in February it had raised $10 million in Series B financing to expand the company’s R&D; and manufacturing capabilities. The company’s DragonSCALES technology is a flexible mesh of small, lightweight solar cells that are designed to power space commercialization and exploration missions. “We are seeing …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) held a virtual press conference with representatives from Build with Robots, RS21, and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. During the press conference, Rep. Stansbury highlighted the science and technology investments and economic benefits of the Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, a bill she passed as an amendment to the America COMPETES …

SAN FRANCISCO – New Mexico startup mPower Technology announced a contract Oct. 3 with Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide solar power modules for more than 200 satellites. “It’s one of the largest space power module contracts ever announced, and clearly the largest for mPower,” Kevin Hell, mPower president and CEO, told SpaceNews. The value of …

TAMPA, Fla. — Startup mPower Technology said Feb. 1 it has raised $10 million to accelerate production of silicon-based solar panels that gained flight heritage last summer.  Early-stage investment firm Cottonwood Technology Fund led the Series B funding round, joined by Hemisphere Ventures and other space investors. It means the startup has raised $16.5 million …

Latest round to fund high-volume manufacturing, team growth and commercial expansion ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – February 1, 2022 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced that it has raised $10 million in Series B funding, led by  Cottonwood Technology Fund and various space sector investors. The Series B round will fund growth in the company’s volume manufacturing …

Total investment of $4.35 million to support product and market development ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 24, 2020 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced it has closed an additional $1.85 million in Series A funding, bringing the company’s total Series A round to $4.35 million. The extension round included investments from Cottonwood Technology Fund, NMA Ventures, and various …

A Revolution in Space Power An mPower Technology White Paper The space market is going through a massive transformation. Companies such as SpaceX, Amazon, Telesat, and OneWeb, as well as groups from countries such as China, India and Russia have announced plans to launch “megaconstellations” of smaller Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that could put …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Somewhere among the glitter of the night sky is a small satellite powered by innovative, next-generation solar cell technology developed at Sandia National Laboratories. mPower Technology’s DragonSCALES, consist of small, highly interconnected photovoltaic cells formerly known as solar glitter at Sandia. They are orbiting Earth for the first time on a Lynk Global …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A local solar power company was selected to test out their new technology in orbit. Businesses in New Mexico are turning to the sky as the second space race takes center stage in the land of enchantment. Here in Albuquerque, mPower designs and builds solar panels, an essential part of space travel. …

On-orbit demonstrator will validate innovative silicon solar module in space ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – July 13, 2021 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced that its DragonSCALES™ solar power modules is being evaluated by Lynk Global, Inc. (Lynk) on its latest satellite launch. Lynk is assessing DragonSCALES as a potential candidate for power aboard its satellite constellation …

Companies collaborate to provide game-changing solution for vertically deployable solar array ALTADENA, Calif. and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – May 25, 2021 – Honeybee Robotics, Inc., a passionate leader in technology and product development for advanced robotic and spacecraft systems, and innovative solar company, mPower Technology, Inc., announced today that the companies have been selected to provide an innovative …

The 38th annual Space Power Workshop sessions include Mission and Program Experience, Power Systems Architecture, Power Management and Distribution (PMAD), Energy Generation, Energy Storage, and Advanced Concepts. The virtual workshop will be held April 19 – 22, 2021, and mPower will be discussing the latest developments of its DragonSCALES(TM) space solar power technology on Tuesday, …

mPower Technology is excited to be part of the team with Sandia that received the FLC regional award for excellence in technology transfer. The core technology and support from our Sandia partners has been a key element for our ongoing progress in commercialization of this enabling technology. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — For responding with innovative solutions …

Albuquerque-based mPower Technologies’ new DragonSCALES solar-cell material will power up a small satellite scheduled for launch into low-Earth orbit in December. It’s the first in-space test for mPower’s technology, which weaves tiny solar cells about the width of a human hair into a flexible, lightweight mesh that could substantially lower the costs for powering up …

mPower Technology has announced that the firm’s DragonSCALES solar cell prototype has completed integration and testing on a Sparkwing on-orbit solar array technology demonstrator in preparation for inclusion on Momentus’ Vigoride transfer vehicle launch that is scheduled to occur in the fourth quarter of 2020. DragonSCALES was developed to provide a low-cost, voltage-adjustable, high packing factor and lightweight solar power module …

mPower Technology has announced that the firm’s DragonSCALES™ solar cell prototype has completed integration and testing on a Sparkwing on-orbit solar array technology demonstrator in preparation for inclusion on Momentus’ Vigoride transfer vehicle launch that is scheduled to occur in the fourth quarter of 2020. DragonSCALES was developed to provide a low-cost, voltage-adjustable, high packing factor and lightweight solar power …

Innovative silicon solution will provide significant cost and performance advantages for next-generation satellite designs ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., October 14, 2020 — Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced that its DragonSCALES™ solar cell prototype has completed integration and testing on a Sparkwing in-orbit solar array technology demonstrator in preparation for inclusion on Momentus’ Vigoride transfer …

Total investment of $4.35 million to support product and market development ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 24, 2020 – Innovative solar technology company, mPower Technology, today announced it has closed an additional $1.85 million in Series A funding, bringing the company’s total Series A round to $4.35 million. The extension round included investments from Cottonwood Technology Fund, …

Feb. 12, 2020 –  Innovative solar technology startup, mPower Technology, announced today that it has opened a new office in San Diego, CA. Located in the north San Diego County region, the office will support and grow the company’s sales, marketing and other business functions. “Our new San Diego office complements our existing Albuquerque headquarters which …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 17, 2019 — Innovative solar technology startup, mPower Technology, announced today that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center. The award builds on a successful Phase I SBIR program and enables mPower Technology to develop and test solar …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 28, 2019 — Innovative solar cell technology startup, mPower Technology, today announced that it has raised $2.5 million in Series A funding from experienced sector investors, including Santa Fe-based Sun Mountain Capital. The capital builds upon extensive R&D investment by Sandia National Laboratories and will be used to commercialize mPower’s breakthrough solar cell technology, DragonSCALES™ , in the aerospace …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 30, 2019 — mPowerTechnology, developers of DragonSCALES™ (SemiConductor Active Layer Embedded solar) flexible solar cell solutions, announced the appointment of Kevin Hell as president and CEO as the company rapidly approaches its commercialization phase. The appointment follows a number of promising joint development projects expected to result in the accelerated deployment of DragonSCALES within the aerospace, …