Emcore just announced that they have a contract with Dutch Space to supply solar panels to power the Cygnus spacecraft.  The spacecraft, which is being developed for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) project by Orbital Sciences Corp, should launch in 2011 and will be used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station.

The total value of Emcore’s contract with Dutch Space is over $15 million once all options are exercised. Emcore’s ZTJ solar cells are the most efficient multi-junction solar cell available that is suitable for use in outer space.

In a press release,  Dutch Space’s CEO Bart Reijnen explained why they chose Emcore:

“From our joint experience on NASA’s Dawn interplanetary project, which included Orbital as the prime contractor, we know that collaborating with Emcore results in first-class technology tailored to specific needs. Their contribution to the solar arrays for the Cygnus spacecrafts will provide the highest available efficiency, optimized for the mission.”