Ascent Solar Begins Advocacy Outreach to Brief Private Sector Space Activities Interagency Steering Group Members on Advantages of Thin-Film Solar PV in Space

Rhea-AI Summary

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. has initiated advocacy outreach to the White House's United States Novel Space Activities Authorization and Supervision Framework to collaborate with the commercial space industry and address the hazard of space debris. The company's thin-film PV technology has the unique ability to continue functioning after sustaining damage from impacts with orbital debris, making it a leader in the proliferation of thin-film solar modules in space environments. Ascent seeks to work closely with several government departments on projects that will further establish thin-film solar technology as a viable, efficient, and resilient energy solution for satellites and other space vehicles.

Insights

Energy Sector Analyst

An analysis of Ascent Solar Technologies' initiative reveals a strategic move to integrate its thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology within the burgeoning space sector. The company's advocacy outreach to the new governmental steering group is a calculated effort to position its products as essential for addressing the increasing concern over space debris, which poses a significant risk to satellites and other spacecraft. Ascent's technology, which boasts resilience to damage from orbital debris, could potentially redefine standards for power generation subsystems in space.

From an energy sector perspective, the adoption of Ascent's technology could lead to a paradigm shift in how energy solutions are implemented in space. Their thin-film solar modules, which are lighter and more flexible than traditional rigid panels, offer the dual benefit of reduced launch costs and enhanced durability. This technological advancement could increase the competitiveness of space-based solar power, a concept that aligns with national security interests and international efforts to mitigate space debris. Ascent's positioning in this niche market could potentially lead to an increase in government contracts and partnerships, thereby improving its financial outlook and shareholder value.

Aerospace Industry Analyst

The aerospace industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with private companies like Ascent Solar Technologies playing a crucial role. Ascent's lobbying efforts to influence the development of an authorization and supervision framework for novel space activities underscore the importance of private sector innovation in shaping national space policy. The company's unique self-healing solar arrays could become a new industry standard, enhancing the longevity and reliability of spacecraft.

Ascent's proactive engagement with multiple government departments signals a strong potential for collaborative projects that could lead to advancements in space sustainability and debris mitigation. This move could pave the way for Ascent to secure a foothold in the supply chain for government space missions. Furthermore, the emphasis on creating industry standards and best practices reflects a move towards greater interoperability and modularity in space systems, which could drive demand for Ascent's products and potentially boost its market share within the aerospace sector.

Environmental & Sustainability Expert

The environmental implications of Ascent Solar Technologies' advocacy are significant, particularly in the context of space sustainability. The company's focus on addressing the hazard of space debris through its technology is aligned with global initiatives aimed at preserving the space environment. Ascent's retractable and re-rollable solar arrays not only promise to enhance the resiliency of space architecture but also contribute to minimizing the creation of new debris.

By promoting standards that encourage the use of mass/material-efficient solar arrays and rapid end-of-life servicing, Ascent is championing a more sustainable approach to space exploration. These efforts could lead to the development of responsible, cost-effective methods for decommissioning spacecraft, a critical aspect of environmental stewardship in space. The company's emphasis on environmental considerations could resonate with stakeholders increasingly concerned with corporate sustainability practices, potentially improving Ascent's brand reputation and appeal to eco-conscious investors.

THORNTON, Colo., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASTI), a U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today announced it has initiated advocacy outreach to members of the recently-formed Private Sector Space Activities Interagency Steering Group as part of the White House’s United States Novel Space Activities Authorization and Supervision Framework.

The Group is tasked with creating an authorization and supervision framework for novel space activities. Within its mission statement, the framework states its intent to collaborate with members of the commercial space industry to advance national objectives. Among those objectives include addressing the hazard of space debris, a primary feature of Ascent’s thin-film PV technology, as it has the unique ability to continue functioning after sustaining damage from impacts with orbital debris.

The Ascent team is focusing its lobbying efforts on engaging key individuals within the US Departments of Commerce, Transportation, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Interior, and State, as well as the FCC and NASA. The conversations will primarily focus on technology, as well as commercially viable solutions and practical implementation and standards, particularly within power generation subsystems that see the largest cross-sectional area of satellites and other spacecraft. These subsystems are a primary driver in conjunction event probabilities and consequence, two areas where Ascent’s thin-film technology can have major efficiency and cost benefits.

“Ascent is a leader in the proliferation of thin-film solar modules in space environments, and we look forward to detailing our industry expertise to the Group,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. “Upon engagement, Ascent seeks to work closely with several government departments on projects that will further establish thin-film solar technology as a viable, efficient, and resilient energy solution for satellites and other space vehicles.”

The targeted advocacy aims to inform White House Group members on several components relevant to their goals, including:

Space Sustainability/Orbital Debris

• Means to increase space architecture resiliency and mitigate/minimize creation of orbital debris
• Retractable/re-rollable arrays to protect from threats/hazards (Space weather, ie Carrington event)
• Longer lived spacecraft enabled by self-annealing solar arrays with minimal degradation
  

Industry Standards & Best Practices

• Realistic & attainable goals aligned with international efforts such as ESA Zero Debris Initiative
• Standards for inter-configurability/changeability, modularity, & upgradability of spacecraft
• Potential minimum operational safety standards on orbit
• How government furnished equipment (or required equivalent) could be included as part of licenses to in operate in congested/contested orbits with higher likelihood of conjunction
• Benefits of orbital restrictions for rigid and brittle components
• Methods for responsible and cost-effective rapid end of life servicing

Foster Competitiveness of Advanced Energy & In-Space Manufacturing Industry

• Provide the power and voltages that on orbit manufacturing requires at scale
• Enable Space Based Solar Power & Transmitting/Receiving
• Mass/Material efficient solar arrays that are able to be produced at scale domestically
  

International Relations

• Conjunction avoidance/mitigation strategies and tactics
• Ways to fostering commerce while enabling safe operations from other sovereignties participating in space activities

National Security

• Responsive, resilient dual use solar products
  

ABOUT ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for use in environments where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience matter. Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 4.5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado. To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" including statements about the financing transaction, our business strategy, and the potential uses of the proceeds from the transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as “will,” "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of our future revenues, stock price, or results of operations. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

MEDIA CONTACT

Spencer Herrmann
FischTank PR
ascent@fischtankpr.com

FAQ

What is Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. advocating for in the recently-formed Private Sector Space Activities Interagency Steering Group?

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is advocating for collaboration with the commercial space industry to address the hazard of space debris and establish thin-film solar technology as a viable, efficient, and resilient energy solution for satellites and other space vehicles.

What is the unique ability of Ascent's thin-film PV technology in space environments?

Ascent's thin-film PV technology has the unique ability to continue functioning after sustaining damage from impacts with orbital debris.

Who is leading the advocacy efforts for Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.?

Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, is leading the advocacy efforts for the company.

Which government departments is Ascent seeking to work closely with on projects related to thin-film solar technology?

Ascent is seeking to work closely with the US Departments of Commerce, Transportation, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Interior, and State, as well as the FCC and NASA.

What are some components relevant to the goals of the White House Group that Ascent aims to inform its members about?

Some components relevant to the goals of the White House Group that Ascent aims to inform its members about include space sustainability/orbital debris, industry standards & best practices, fostering competitiveness of advanced energy & in-space manufacturing industry, international relations, and national security.