Spectrolab, a Boeing subsidiary, is celebrating 70 years of innovation in space solar technology. Founded in 1956, the company has been instrumental in powering some of humanity’s most ambitious space missions. As demand for reliable space-grade power surges, Spectrolab is scaling up production to meet the needs of commercial, civil, and national security missions.
The company has delivered over 7 million multijunction space solar cells, generating more than 10 megawatts of power currently in orbit. These cells are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including extreme thermal shocks and radiation. Spectrolab’s CEO, Mark Hatch, emphasized the importance of innovation and quality in ensuring mission success.
Spectrolab’s technology has been integral to numerous historic missions, from the Pioneer 1 probe in 1958 to the Juno mission around Jupiter in 2016. Today, the company’s solar cells power the International Space Station’s Roll Out Solar Arrays, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, and global connectivity constellations like the ViaSat-3 satellites and the SES O3b mPOWER network. They also support critical U.S. defense systems, including the Wideband Global SATCOM system and the Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking MEO constellation.
The company’s success is backed by a dedicated workforce with deep ties to the mission. Ronald Naquin, a manufacturing assembler, highlighted his family’s long-standing connection to Spectrolab, with multiple generations contributing over 70 years of service to the company.