EMCORE Corporation Awarded Solar Panel Manufacturing Contract From Dutch Space

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Nov 12 (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 by Dutch Space of Leiden, The Netherlands to manufacture, test,
and deliver the solar panels to power the Cygnus(TM) spacecraft being
developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) for NASA's
Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) project. With all options exercised the
total value of the contract would be in excess of $15 million.

Under the CRS project, Orbital will carry out eight pressurized space
cargo missions beginning in early 2011 and running through 2015 to
provide a U.S.-produced and-operated automated cargo delivery service to
the International Space Station (ISS). An initial demonstration flight
will be carried out as part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation
Services (COTS) project, which provided NASA incentives to the developing
commercial launch services industry.

The solar panels to be delivered to Dutch Space will use EMCORE's ZTJ
solar cells. With a sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 30%,
the ZTJ solar cell is the highest performance space qualified
multi-junction solar cell available in the world today. Production of the
solar panels will take place at EMCORE's state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Bart Reijnen, CEO of Dutch Space: "From our joint experience on NASA's
Dawn interplanetary project, which included Orbital as the prime
contractor, we know that collaborating with EMCORE results in first-class
technology tailored to specific needs. Their contribution to the solar
arrays for the Cygnus spacecrafts will provide the highest available
efficiency, optimized for the mission."

Christopher Larocca, Chief Operating Officer of EMCORE stated, "This is a
significant award for EMCORE as this program will be powered by the most
highly efficient space solar cells available today. We are proud to once
again be part of an Orbital-led mission with Dutch Space as the solar
array provider. This is a reformation of the team that successfully
collaborated on NASA's DAWN mission, which is currently powering the
spacecraft on its voyage to the Asteroid Belt. The CRS award builds on
the successful heritage of DAWN and paves the way for more future
partnerships with Dutch Space."

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 successful completion of all of Dutch Space's own contract
relating to this project (which can be terminated for convenience, as can
EMCORE's 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

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-