EMCORE Awarded Solar Panel Manufacturing Contract for NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Mission

EMCORE Panels will Power NASA’s LADEE Moon Orbiter

Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 31, 2011 – 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 it has been awarded a contract by ASRC Research and Technology Solutions (ARTS), Greenbelt, Maryland for the design, manufacturing and delivery of solar panels for NASA Ames’ Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission.

LADEE is a robotic mission designed to orbit the Moon. Its main objective is to study and characterize the lunar atmosphere, including fine dust particles suspended above the lunar surface. The spacecraft is currently scheduled to be launched in early 2013 aboard a Minotaur V vehicle from the Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia.

A total of 32 solar panels will be built for LADEE at EMCORE’s state-of–the-art manufacturing facilities located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“This contract is an exciting award for EMCORE, and we are proud to support NASA’s newest lunar mission,” said Christopher Larocca, Chief Operating Officer for EMCORE. “EMCORE has previously been awarded solar panel contracts for several other NASA missions, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS) missions. We appreciate NASA’s continued confidence in EMCORE to supply solar panels for their demanding spacecraft power systems.”

EMCORE is the world’s leading manufacturer of highly-efficient radiation-hard solar cells for space power applications. With a beginning-of-life (BOL) conversion efficiency nearing 30% and the option for a patented, onboard monolithic bypass diode, EMCORE’s industry leading multi-junction solar cells provide the highest available power to interplanetary spacecraft 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, visithttp://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 contract described in this press release 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 LADEE mission, 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
Mark Weinswig
Chief Financial Officer
(505) 332-5000

investor@emcore.com

   


   
TTC Group
Victor Allgeier
(646) 290-6400


      vic@ttcominc.com