SolAero Technologies (Rocket Lab)

SolAero Technologies, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of only two US manufacturers of high-efficiency space-grade solar cells, founded in 1998 and acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022 for $80 million. The company's photovoltaic products — multi-junction solar cells, solar panels, and composite structural panels — have supported over 1,000 space missions with 100% reliability. SolAero's heritage includes the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's InSight and Ingenuity Mars missions, and selection to supply solar power modules for the NASA Lunar Gateway Power and Propulsion Element under the Artemis program. Under Rocket Lab, SolAero continues operations from its 154,696 sq ft production facility in Albuquerque.