EMCORE just announced that it is working with Boeing Corporation and other leading companies on the Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed (FAST) program for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The project aims to develop a power generation system capable of creating 175 kilowatts of power. The system would be used to power spacecraft for ultra-high-power communications, space radar, satellite transfer and servicing missions. EMCORE will supply solar components for the system. Other companies on the team include DR Technologies, Northrop Grumman Astro Aerospace, Texas A&M University, and Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab Inc.
In press release, Tom Kessler, FAST program manager, Boeing Advanced Network and Space Systems, explained the benefits of the program:
“Our team is pleased to partner with DARPA in developing this powerful new technology. FAST offers significant cost and performance benefits to our commercial, civil and national security customers, including new high-power applications to provide a cost-effective means for spacecraft to travel to the outer solar system.”