SPRAT
The 28th Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology (SPRAT) Conference, sponsored by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, will be held September 4 – 6, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. At this conference, researchers and users discuss current trends, issues, and mission applications in the development and use of photovoltaic (PV) systems for space. This meeting is fully in-person and will not include a hybrid option.
As always, there will be no registration fee to attend SPRAT in 2024.
At the 27th SPRAT, we highlighted photovoltaic technologies that support NASA’s Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface and extend our reach to Mars, discussed a wide variety of ground and flight-based characterization techniques, explored various solar cell research and development efforts, and more.
Topics for 2024
Topics of interest for this year’s SPRAT include but are not limited to:
- III-V technologies
- Silicon, perovskite, and thin-film technologies
- Tandem and multijunction research efforts
- Interconnect, coverglass, module, and blanket technologies
- Space array designs (including in-space, surface, and concentrators)
- Photovoltaic power system designs (including PMAD, power modelling)
- PV testing, characterization, and qualification
- PV manufacturing and process improvements to reduce cost
- Radiation damage and environmental interactions
- Missions and flight experiments
- Power beaming utilizing photovoltaics
The Call for Abstracts will be posted in the coming months.
Please direct any questions to Meghan Bush.
The Irving Weinberg Award
The Irving Weinberg Award was established in 1995 and is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Irving Weinberg (1919-1995), a leading contributor to the field of space photovoltaic research and development at NASA Glenn Research Center. It honors his accomplishments as a researcher, leader, and mentor to a new generation of space photovoltaic scientists and engineers.
The award is presented at every SPRAT conference to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of space photovoltaics and represents the dedication, diligence, and leadership qualities exhibited by Dr. Weinberg during his career.
We are currently accepting nominations for this year’s Irving Weinberg Award. Details on the nomination package can be found here: Weinberg Nomination 2024. Nominations are due by July 12th, 2024.
Name | Conference | Date |
---|---|---|
Dr. Chandra Goradia | 14th SPRAT | Oct. 24 – 26, 1995 |
Dr. Masafumi Yamaguchi | 15th SPRAT | June 10 – 12, 1997 |
Dr. Dennis Flood | 16th SPRAT | Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 1999 |
Mr. Henry Curtis | 17th SPRAT | Sept. 11 – 13, 2001 |
Dr. Bruce Anspaugh | 18th SPRAT | Sept. 16 – 18, 2003 |
Dr. Geoffrey Summers | 19th SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2005 |
Dr. Dean C. Marvin | 20th SPRAT | Sept. 25 – 27, 2007 |
Dr. Ed Gaddy | 21st SPRAT | Oct. 6 – 8, 2009 |
Dr. Robert W. Francis | 22nd SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2011 |
Dr. Paul Sharps | 23rd SPRAT | Oct. 28 – 30, 2014 |
Dr. Mark Stan | 24th SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2016 |
Mr. David Wilt | 25th SPRAT | Sept. 19 – 21, 2018 |
Dr. Sheila Bailey | 27th SPRAT | Aug. 2 – 4, 2022 |
Registration Information
Registration for the 28th SPRAT is not yet opened – stay tuned!
If you would like to be added to the SPRAT mailing list, please contact Meghan Bush.