High-Level Overview
mPower Technology is a portfolio company developing DragonSCALES™, a revolutionary flexible, interconnected mesh of miniature silicon solar cells for space applications. It serves satellite operators, space agencies, and aerospace firms like Airbus, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Lynk Global, and Gravitics, solving the problem of rigid, heavy, costly solar solutions by enabling ultralight, resilient, customizable designs at scale using established PV and microelectronics manufacturing.[1][2][3][4] With over 12 years of on-orbit heritage, the company raised $46.76M total funding, including a $21M+ Series B in May 2025 led by Razor's Edge Ventures and Shield Capital, fueling high-volume production for missions like Airbus' 1.1 megawatt MDA AURORA™ program—one of the largest space solar deals ever—and positioning it as the leading provider amid booming commercial space demand.[1][3][6]
Origin Story
mPower Technology spun off from Sandia National Laboratories, leveraging technology developed and rigorously tested there, including field and flight validations.[1][3][4] Founded by Dr. Murat Okandan (CTO), with Kevin Hell as President & CEO, the idea emerged from advancing silicon solar cells into flexible, high-performance formats to overcome limitations of traditional silicon and gallium arsenide panels.[2][4][6] Early traction included a 2020 Series A of $4.35M led by Cottonwood Technology Fund, 2022 milestones like Lynk Global's launch, a NASA lunar contract, and OneWeb demo selection, plus strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures.[1][3][6] By 2024, DragonSCALES™ was selected for Airbus' MDA Aurora, and 2025 brought $24M in Series B funding (across rounds) as high-volume production launched.[1][3][6]
Core Differentiators
mPower stands out in space solar through DragonSCALES™' unique attributes:
- Unmatched Scalability: High-volume, automated ISO-9001 production via partners like Universal Instruments (U.S.) and GTM Advanced Structures (Netherlands), enabling rapid fulfillment for hundreds of spacecraft.[1][3][4]
- Unlimited Customizability: Fully flexible mesh adapts to complex shapes for satellites, lunar/deep space, logistics, and space-based solar power, unlike rigid competitors.[1][2][3]
- Unprecedented Economics: Leverages affordable silicon PV/microelectronics tools for lower costs in production, operation, and integration; powers massive deals like 1.1MW for Airbus.[1][3]
- Unparalleled Resilience: Proven 12+ years on-orbit, performs in harsh environments with lightweight, resilient designs; trusted by Airbus, Firefly, Gravitics, and Lynk.[1][3]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
mPower rides the commercial space boom, fueled by satellite constellations (e.g., Lynk, OneWeb), lunar/deep space missions (NASA contracts), and proliferators like Firefly and Blue Origin, where demand for cheap, scalable power surges amid falling launch costs.[1][3] Timing is ideal post-2025 Series B, as high-volume lines ramp for next-gen missions, capitalizing on market forces like U.S. manufacturing resurgence and national security needs via investors like Shield Capital and Razor's Edge.[1][6] It influences the ecosystem by enabling cost-effective, flexible power for constellations and stations (e.g., Gravitics' StarMax), reducing barriers for startups and giants, and shifting space solar from bespoke GaAs to mass-produced silicon meshes.[1][3][4]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
mPower is primed for dominance in space solar, with production scaling in 2025 to fulfill a surging pipeline, including Airbus' megawatt-scale order and expanding partnerships.[1][3] Trends like mega-constellations, cislunar economy, and space-based solar power will propel growth, potentially via Series C (already $21M in April 2025) or acquisition by primes like Lockheed (an investor).[1][6] Its influence could evolve from supplier to ecosystem enabler, powering resilient infrastructure as space shifts commercial—building on its Sandia roots to redefine affordable, adaptable energy for the stars.[1][3][4]
