Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 13, 2026

Ascent Solar Soars into 2026 with Space Market Expansion and Key Partnerships

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TLDR

  • Ascent Solar's rapid six-to-eight-week delivery and partnerships with NASA and defense contractors provide a significant edge in the growing $6.8 billion space solar market.
  • Ascent Solar's CIGS thin-film PV technology works by being lightweight, flexible, and durable, performing in extreme environments and low light to power spacecraft and satellites.
  • Ascent Solar's technology enables longer, cheaper space missions and powers ocean monitoring, advancing scientific discovery and sustainable exploration for a better future.
  • Ascent Solar's panels can be powered by beamed energy from space, allowing spacecraft to travel farther with fewer parts and less equipment.

Impact - Why it Matters

This news matters because it highlights a significant shift in renewable energy technology, with Ascent Solar's flexible and durable PV solutions enabling more efficient and cost-effective space missions, which could revolutionize satellite operations, defense capabilities, and environmental monitoring. The company's rapid delivery times and partnerships with entities like NASA and defense contractors signal growing demand for advanced solar in extreme environments, potentially reducing reliance on traditional power sources and accelerating space exploration. For investors and the tech industry, Ascent's progress indicates a burgeoning market for space-based solar power, projected to reach billions by 2040, offering opportunities for innovation and economic growth. On a broader scale, these advancements could lead to more sustainable energy solutions on Earth, as technologies tested in space often trickle down to terrestrial applications, enhancing global energy resilience and supporting climate goals.

Summary

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI), a manufacturer of featherweight, flexible, and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, is boldly expanding into the space market with a series of strategic partnerships and technological advancements that position the company for significant growth in 2026. The company's key achievements in 2025 include a Master Services Agreement with NOVI Space Inc., where Ascent provides rollable PV array blankets for NOVI's AI-powered satellites, enabling real-time Earth Observation insights. This collaboration highlights Ascent's ability to deliver solar arrays in just six to eight weeks—far faster than the industry standard of nine to twelve months—making rapid delivery a key differentiator. Additionally, Ascent is working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Glenn Research Center to develop technology for receiving beamed power via microwave or laser beams, which could allow spacecraft to travel further and longer while reducing weight and cost. The company is also testing its PV technology with an ocean monitoring company for aquatic applications, demonstrating its versatility beyond space.

Beyond customer engagements, Ascent is forging alliances to compete in a space-based solar power market projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2040. Notable partnerships include a deal with CisLunar Industries to develop long-lasting power solutions for extended space missions, a strategic partnership with Defiant Space Corp. to pursue opportunities in U.S. defense and national security sectors, and an MOU with Star Catcher Industries to access space solar energy grids that could provide satellite operators with up to five to ten times more power. The company has also inked a tech alliance with Emtel Energy USA, combining graphene-based energy storage with Ascent's PVs to power satellites and spacecraft. These collaborations underscore Ascent's proactive approach to capturing market share and advancing its offerings, supported by $2 million in gross proceeds from a private placement with potential for up to $3.5 million more.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ascent is optimistic, with plans to adhere to an aggressive production schedule for booked orders in the first quarter, advance cell efficiency for its ASTI CIGS thin-film technology, and conduct environmental testing for space extremes like radiation and atomic oxygen resilience. The CEO's upcoming trip to the EU aims to drive more deals with strategic satellite players, potentially leading to further developments and deliveries for European partners in the first half of the year. From space to the seas, Ascent Solar's advanced PVs are powering innovations across multiple sectors, and to learn more about its plans for 2026, interested readers can click here. This momentum, fueled by customer wins and industry partnerships, suggests a bright future as the company continues to push the boundaries of solar technology in extreme environments.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Ascent Solar Soars into 2026 with Space Market Expansion and Key Partnerships

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