Ascent Solar partners with NASA to develop beamed power technology

THORNTON, Colo. - Ascent Solar Technologies (NASDAQ:ASTI), a micro-cap company currently valued at $2.9 million, has begun work on a Collaborative Agreement Notice (CAN) with NASA to advance capabilities for receiving beamed power using CIGS photovoltaic modules, according to a press release statement. While the company maintains a healthy current ratio of 1.25 and holds more cash than debt, InvestingPro data shows it’s rapidly burning through available cash reserves.

The 12-month public-private partnership involves Ascent contributing design and prototyping services while NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Glenn Research Center provide technical expertise and testing services.

The collaboration aims to develop technology that can generate power from energy-dense light beams at intensities equivalent to tens of times that of Earth’s sun. This capability could potentially reduce spacecraft mass and volume requirements for power generation.

NASA previously conducted bench-testing in 2024 using Ascent’s commercial products to validate the technology before the CAN award. The space agency’s Psyche Mission, launched in 2023, demonstrated deep space laser communications across 19 million miles, validating tight-beaming technologies.

The project targets applications for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions, the Artemis lunar campaign, and planetary science objectives. Specific goals include enabling operations during lunar night and powering access to permanently shadowed regions on the Moon where water resources may be located.

"This collaboration with NASA further bolsters our longstanding belief that the unique capabilities of thin-film solar technology will play an integral role in overcoming the challenges of reliably converting solar energy and also receive beamed power in a breadth of harsh space environments," said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies.

According to the company, the technology could significantly reduce the payload mass required for lunar missions, potentially saving millions of dollars per lander mission given the current cost of $1-10 million per kilogram delivered to the lunar surface. With revenue of just $50,000 in the last twelve months and an EBITDA of -$7.74 million, the company faces significant financial challenges. InvestingPro analysis indicates weak overall financial health, with particularly concerning metrics in profitability and cash flow management.

In other recent news, Ascent Solar Technologies has entered into a Master Services Agreement with NOVI Space Inc. to supply rollable photovoltaic (PV) array blankets for NOVI’s upcoming satellite constellation. This collaboration aims to enhance Earth Observation capabilities and is expected to launch in early 2026. Additionally, Ascent Solar has successfully delivered spaceflight-ready PV blankets to a major European space systems provider, meeting stringent mission requirements. The company’s ability to rapidly customize its Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) technology was crucial in meeting the partner’s four-week deadline. Furthermore, Ascent Solar received a new order to redesign its space solar products, following the validation of its CIGS PV modules for beamed power applications. These developments underscore Ascent Solar’s commitment to advancing its presence in the space sector, with a focus on reducing mission risk and cost for its partners. Ascent’s manufacturing facility in Thornton, Colorado, plays a key role in its ability to quickly iterate product designs. The company’s ongoing efforts to tailor its technology to meet the specialized needs of the space industry highlight its potential for increased demand and revenue.

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