LOUISVILLE, CO - Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime that is building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, announced today a technology center expansion aimed at scaling up the production and delivery of the company’s groundbreaking Surface Mount Technology (SMT) solar power systems, including production for national defense applications.

Earlier this month, Sierra Space announced a new operation dedicated to supporting the national security space as a prime contractor -- Sierra Space Defense -- as well as unveiled their “Victory Works” manufacturing facility for defense satellites.

Sierra Space’s Power Station is a brand-new production facility that will house world-class manufacturing capabilities to produce Surface Mount Technology (SMT) defense-hardened solar arrays, which provide best-in-class power density, resiliency, and production lead times. Located in Broomfield, Colorado, the Power Station spans approximately 70,000 square feet, including office space. See photos here.

In addition to the SMT production lines, the $45 million facility also houses new tooling and an integrated test center that includes thermal vacuum/thermal air chambers, and a dynamics lab for vibration and pyroshock testing. These solar arrays have diverse applications, including for use on satellites.

“Sierra Space is re-industrializing the space-defense technology sector,” said Sierra Space Vice President Erik Daehler. “We have the ability to build a solar panel a day, and a wing a week. We plan to deliver 40 satellite wings in the first phase of production and are scaling up to a 100 satellites wings per year by our full rate of production. Additionally, because of our unique architecture, our solar arrays are more resilient. The Power Station is a proof point in our dedication to support national security.”

With a multikilowatt solar production capacity, Sierra Space is poised to disrupt the space industry with its innovative approach to high-volume, quick-turn automation and advancements in solar array production. The new factory will also create employment opportunities. Currently, over 100 Sierra Space team members are working onsite at the Power Station.

Solar power is critical for space missions as it provides a reliable, renewable energy source to support long-duration operations in orbit and beyond. Sierra Space offers low-cost, highly scalable power systems with ranges from 10 watts to 10 kilowatts, and its end-to-end electric power solutions consist of fully assembled and tested solar arrays, solar array drives, slip rings, hinges, hold-down mechanisms, and motor control electronics.

“Using state-of-the art tools and integration equipment, our engineering and production teams have the expertise and experience to define, analyze, build, and test complete solar array systems,” said Brian Anthony, Vice President of Spacecraft Systems at Sierra Space. “Our scalable power systems can be tailored to fit a wide variety of mission options with reduced cycle time and risk by incorporating existing qualified and flight-proven designs. With this new production facility coming online, Sierra Space is ready to meet the needs of the rapidly emerging satellite constellation market and deliver space power at lightning speed.”

Sierra Space has pioneered SMT solar cells attached to Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that are assembled using standard commercial electronics pick-and-place technology. These high efficiency multi-junction MWT (Metallized Wrap Through) “micro-cells” are robotically placed onto engineered printed circuit boards enabling automated production, higher power densities and shorter lead times for deployable solar arrays. This development addresses the needs of both small- and large-scale deployable missions while reducing lead times for Sierra Space customers and offering significant system advantages over conventional solar panels and arrays.

In celebrating 35 years of supplying high-end, engineered subsystems and components for the space industry, Sierra Space continues to make critical progress that ensures the efficient and cost-effective utilization of high-density power in its missions.

ATLANTA, GA – ECIA is pleased to announce an exciting new member benefit: ECIA members now have access to in-depth analysis performed by the AlphaSense generative AI tool to answer key questions regarding important industry-specific topics. These reports contain timely research on issues that inform intelligent electronic component and distribution industry executive decisions. Key topics currently available in the Members-only ECIA platform include:

• AlphaSense AI Executive Analysis
• Industry Financial Comps
• Industry Company Earnings Analysis
• Industry Company Earnings Call Analysis
• Earnings Call Sentiment Deep Dive
• Supply Chain Quarterly Financial Analysis.

“These reports are a brilliant use of the power of AI,” commented ECIA’s Chief Analyst Dale Ford. “For the Earnings Call Sentiment Deep Dive, for example, the query dives into the nuanced sentiment expressed during earnings calls to gain a deeper understanding of the tone and underlying perceptions conveyed by management. This template also identifies the most positive and negative comments and questions, the most engaged analysts, and instances of compliments. And includes coverage of companies in ten industries.” he concluded.

AlphaSense is confirmed to participate in a conference session on AI tools and technologies at the 2025 ECIA Executive Conference, October 19-21 at the Westin O’Hare.

Members can access this powerful new tool by logging into their account and going to https://www.ecianow.org/financial-executive-analysis. For questions, contact Dale Ford at dford@ecianow.org.

Scanfil and Liquid Instruments have signed a manufacturing outsourcing agreement for Scanfil’s Melbourne plant in Australia. This agreement supports Liquid Instruments’ strategy to onshore production of its flagship Moku platform, strengthening domestic supply chains and bringing manufacturing closer to its research and development hub.

“We’re continuing to expand our manufacturing footprint in Australia,” says Daniel Shaddock, CEO of Liquid Instruments. “Onshoring production through this partnership allows us to scale more efficiently, while deepening our investment in Australia’s technology ecosystem. Scanfil’s expertise and strong local presence make them the ideal partner for this next phase of growth.”

The collaboration will leverage Scanfil's and its subsidiary, SRXGlobal's, expertise in Medtech & Life Science. Liquid Instruments will benefit from supply chain management, scalable manufacturing, global delivery capabilities, and aftermarket services — all in Victoria, Australia.

"Liquid Instruments has developed a unique product with an interesting and complex technology that is a perfect fit for the services provided by SRXGlobal in Australia. We at Scanfil and SRXGlobal are thrilled and excited that Liquid Instruments has chosen SRXGlobal as their preferred manufacturing partner for the exciting journey ahead, and we look forward to a strong and successful partnership", states Christian Kesten, VP of Scanfil APAC.

BENGALURU – June 24 Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on Tuesday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VVDN Technologies Pvt Ltd for collaboration in domestic manufacturing and technology development to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence and professional electronics.

VVDN is a provider of software, electronics engineering, and product manufacturing services and solutions.

BEL and VVDN signed this MoU to accelerate their efforts in fostering indigenous design and manufacturing in the new-age technology sector, the company said in a release.