Lockheed Martin Awards Solar Cells Contract

Lockheed Martin has awarded a contract to Uni-Solar Ovonic of Auburn Hills, Michigan, to develop and deliver solar cells on polymer substrates. These cells will be used in Phase 2 of the High Altitude Airship (HAA) program of the Missile Defense Agency.

Uni-Solar Ovonic is working with aerospace companies to develop space and stratospheric photovoltaic products under contracts from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. The flexible, low-cost products can be bonded to a curved skin or stowed for deployment in satellites.

“The high-altitude airship prototype will demonstrate the technical feasibility and utility of a regenerative, solar-powered airship,” said Mike Baumgartner, Lockheed Martin’s HAA program director.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract for Phase 2, design and risk reduction activities, in September 2003. Phase 2 includes developing an airship that can sustain operations for one month at 65,000 feet while providing 10kW of power to a 4,000 pound payload. The prototype will become part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System Test Bed following the successful demonstration in 2006.

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