Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of flexible thin-film PV modules, has announced continued development of distributed power-receiving products in 2026 for space-based energy beaming applications. The company stated that the development program includes internally funded research and ongoing work under a Collaborative Agreement Notice with NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center and NASA Glenn Research Center, which is scheduled to conclude in spring 2026. Ascent Solar reported that the work is supported by its 5 MW in-house production facility in Thornton, Colorado. The facility enables further optimization of the company’s commercial off-the-shelf CIGS PV modules to receive both direct sunlight and distributed transmitted power from multiple external sources, including Star Catcher Industries. The company also said that partnerships, including its collaboration with Cislunar Industries, are being used to advance technology intended to enable spacecraft to generate higher power output from solar arrays of the same size. Ascent Solar indicated that results from these development efforts are planned for presentation at select space industry conferences later in 2026.