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York Space Systems has agreed to acquire a maker of solar cells and modules as part of an ongoing push to gain more visibility and control over key subsystems in supply chains.
Solestial was first stood up in 2013 at Arizona State University to develop new manufacturing technologies and techniques for terrestrial silicon solar cells, which work to convert sunlight into electricity.
By acquiring Solestial, York is also looking to reduce its dependence on materials controlled by China and incorporate self-healing silicon technology into space systems.
Financial terms of the transaction announced Tuesday were not disclosed, while all parties expect to complete the move in the second quarter.
“York has consistently invested in U.S.-based manufacturing as a core part of how we deliver for our customers,” York’s founder and CEO Dirk Wallinger said in a release. “This acquisition builds on that approach, strengthening our supply chain by investing in a proven U.S. company, supporting the domestic industrial base, and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials and manufacturing.”
In 2022, Solestial spun out of ASU and completed a $10 million seed round led by Airbus Ventures to validate the technology and push into mass manufacturing.
Solestial specializes in ultrathin, radiation-hardened solar cells and modules that are designed for space. This type of cell works to operate in high-altitude environments like space without carrying thick semiconductor material, which allows for some self-healing from radiation damage.
According to York, lead times for some solar power technologies can exceed two years and alternatives to terrestrial silicon materials are mostly not designed for space. They also degrade rapidly under radiation exposure.
Roughly 95% of Solestial’s supply chain is on U.S. soil and it has also acquired high-volume solar manufacturing equipment in order to cover the entire wafer-to-module production process.
“Solestial was founded to solve the space power bottleneck,” Solestial’s CEO Margo de Naray said in the release. “Our customers need a solution that can scale, perform in space, and be manufactured reliably. Partnering with York allows us to accelerate all three; expanding production, deepening technical integration, and delivering a resilient, American-made capability to a broader set of missions.”
For York, this move represents its third acquisition since the small satellite maker completed a $629 million initial public offering in January. York has since purchased terminal maker All.Space and propulsion system developer Orbion Science Technology.
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