EMCORE Awarded Solar Panel Manufacturing Contract for NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement Mission

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Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:00am EDT

  ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), a leading provider of compound
semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber optic and
solar power markets announced today that the Company has been awarded a
contract to manufacture, test, and deliver solar panels for NASA's Global
Precipitation Measurement spacecraft. The contract, valued at
approximately $5 million, will be managed by MEI Technologies, Inc. for
the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

    The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is one of the
satellite-based science missions studying global precipitation, including
rain, snow, and ice. The launch of the spacecraft is presently scheduled
for summer of 2013. The GPM spacecraft solar arrays will be powered by
EMCORE's latest generation, 30% efficiency class ZTJ multi-junction solar
cells. Production of the solar cells and panels will take place at
EMCORE's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    MEI Technologies is a prime contractor at GSFC for the Electrical Systems
Engineering Services and operates in six different states. Sam Boyd, MEI
Technologies' Chief Operating Officer, emphasized, "We are very proud to
support GSFC and its earth science mission, and our entire team, including
top quality suppliers like EMCORE, is committed to the success of GPM."

    Christopher Larocca, Chief Operating Officer of EMCORE, stated, "We are
very excited to earn this contract award from MEI Technologies and NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center. This award reaffirms EMCORE's position as the
leading solar panel supplier for space missions. Our proven manufacturing
capability, technology leadership, and reliability heritage make EMCORE
the supplier of choice for demanding spacecraft power systems."

    EMCORE is the world's largest manufacturer of highly efficient radiation
hard solar cells for space power applications. With a beginning-of-life
(BOL) conversion efficiency of 30% and the option for a patented, onboard
monolithic bypass diode, EMCORE's industry leading multi-junction solar
cells can provide the highest power to interplanetary spacecrafts and
earth orbiting satellites.

    About EMCORE

    EMCORE Corporation offers a broad portfolio of compound
semiconductor-based products for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite
and solar power markets. EMCORE's Fiber Optic segment offers optical
components, subsystems and systems for high speed data and
telecommunications networks, cable television (CATV) and
fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). EMCORE's Photovoltaic segment provides
products for both satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite
applications, EMCORE offers high efficiency Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar
cells, Covered Interconnect Cells (CICs) and panels. For terrestrial
applications, EMCORE is adapting its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells for
use in solar concentrator systems. For further information about EMCORE,
visit http://www.emcore.com.

    Forward-looking statements:

    The information provided herein may include forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, any statement or implication
that the products described in this press release that the contract
described will be successfully completed. Such forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties that, if realized, could materially
impair the Company's results of operations, business, and financial
condition. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
(a) the termination for convenience of the contract for the GPM
Spacecraft, which is permitted by the terms of that contract, and (b)
factors discussed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and EMCORE
does not assume any obligation to update the reasons why actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements.

    

Contact:
EMCORE Corporation
Silvia M. Gentile
Executive Offices
(505) 323-3417
Email Contact

TTC Group
Victor Allgeier
(646) 290-6400
Email Contact

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