Podcast Summary: T-Minus Space Daily
Episode: Scaling Solar Tech and Securing Space Traffic
Host: Maria Varmazas, N2K Networks
Date: September 9, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode centers on two key themes: advances in solar technology for space applications, including the scaling and supply chain breakthroughs from Empower Technology (makers of "Dragon Scales" solar panels), and efforts to enhance the safety, coordination, and security of space traffic, particularly through the US TRACKS program. News highlights cover new investments, technological partnerships, and international developments in space-enabled networks and national security. The episode features an in-depth guest interview with Kevin Hell, President and CEO of Empower Technology.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Space Traffic Coordination & Safety Updates
[02:00–05:20]
- The NOAA Office of Space Commerce (OSC) is progressing with the US Traffic Coordination System for Space Program (TRACKS).
- Objective: To provide space situational awareness (SSA) data and services for civil and private operators, enhancing spaceflight safety.
- Commercial Conjunction Assessment Screening Services (CAS) Pilot: OSC announced solicitations to partner with up to 5 vendors who'll supply CAS data, aiming to close gaps in current space traffic coordination.
- Quote:
"TRACKS will work to close capability gaps in today's approach to space traffic coordination, strengthening the safety of space operations worldwide." (Maria Varmazas, 03:15)
- Budget Uncertainty: Rumors of a 40% budget cut for OSC (from $65M to $37M), possibly affecting the TRACKS rollout.
2. European 5G/Satellite Integration Project
[05:21–06:55]
- Capgemini, Thales, and Thales Alenia Space lead a French CNES demonstration for direct satellite-to-device 5G connectivity under the "You Deserve 5G" project.
- Deploying a LEO satellite to test seamless transitions between terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G.
- Supported by Orange, SES, Qualcomm, and Loft Orbital.
- Significance: A major step toward global, uninterrupted digital coverage.
3. Strategic Space Tech Partnerships & Investments
[06:56–07:58]
- Maxar and Anduril join forces on mixed-reality command and control (C2) systems for the US Army, overlaying live battlefield intelligence (enabled by geospatial data and AI).
- Quote:
"It is certainly a sci-fi turned science reality system that blends space data, AI, and soldier-ready battlefield tech." (Maria Varmazas, 07:44)
- Quote:
- Messium (British satellite imaging startup) secured £3.3M for hyperspectral imaging and AI analytics aiding agricultural efficiency.
4. China’s Remote Sensing Satellite Launch
[08:16–08:40]
- Successful launch from Hainan of the Yaogan 45 satellite via a modified Long March 7; mission focuses on experiments, land surveys, crop estimates, and disaster mitigation.
Featured Interview: Kevin Hell, President & CEO, Empower Technology
Company & Product Overview
[11:25–12:26]
- Empower Technology is pioneering flexible, lightweight, silicon-based solar panels ("Dragon Scales") optimized for space applications.
- Addresses the industry's overreliance on gallium arsenide (expensive, supply-limited, and mostly sourced from China).
Why Silicon Is Back in Space Solar
[12:26–13:53]
- Cost & Supply Chain:
- Silicon is much more abundant and cost-effective (5–10x cheaper than gallium arsenide).
- Efficiency Advances:
- Terrestrial solar R&D (heterojunction cells, perovskites) is closing the efficiency gap.
- Quote:
"We can take advancements in the silicon photovoltaic world...and essentially drag and drop them into our Dragon Scales architecture." (Kevin Hell, 13:02)
- Future silicon solar cells could nearly match gallium arsenide efficiency.
Recent Funding & Strategic Partnerships
[14:33–15:32]
- Empower closed $21M in Series B funding (May) plus additional investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures (August) for a total of over $24M.
- Funding enables scaling of high-volume production and expands reach into national security missions.
- Quote:
"It validates Dragon Scales as the technology that's needed for this next generation of space missions..." (Kevin Hell, 15:18)
Strategic Value of Lockheed Martin Partnership
[15:47–16:40]
- Lockheed Martin brings not just capital, but deep mission expertise and defense sector access.
- Opens doors for collaboration on US defense and national security, especially for resilient, deployable power solutions.
Scaling Production & Market Position
[16:40–18:40]
-
Manufacturing with Universal Instruments in New York; new line with 2 MW annual capacity—greater than all other main space solar providers combined.
-
Unique Market Position:
- 15 years of on-orbit heritage, over $0.5B in active sales engagements, and scalable production today.
-
Quote:
"We're really in a unique position and we're looking to basically be the major supplier for this next space 2.0 generation." (Kevin Hell, 19:17)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On leveraging terrestrial solar advancements:
"We're just glad that billions of dollars are being poured into the R&D...and then that flows down to us and we can now use that for space."
(Kevin Hell, 14:18) -
On space mission demand:
"All of these things require power and they require orders of magnitude more power than has ever been done in the past. And they need to be at a price point that is an order of magnitude or more less than has ever been done in the past."
(Kevin Hell, 18:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:00] — TRACKS program and commercial partnership developments
- [05:21] — European 5G-satellite demonstration project details
- [06:56] — Maxar-Anduril C2 partnership and implications
- [11:25] — Kevin Hell (Empower) interview begins
- [14:33] — Empower's new investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures
- [16:51] — Scaling up production and Empower's unique market position
Episode Tone
Informative and upbeat, with a strong sense of excitement about technological progress and practical breakthroughs in the space industry. Speaker tone is professional yet accessible, making complex developments understandable and engaging.
Additional Resources
Links and further reading for each news story are available on the episode's show notes at space.n2k.com.