EMCORE Corporation Awarded Solar Contract From Boeing

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwire - July 30, 2009) - EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), aleading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and systems forthe fiber optic and solar power markets, today announced an industry teamled by The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) has received a contract from theDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for work on Phase 2 ofthe Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed (FAST) program. The $15.5 millioncost-plus-fixed-fee contract is currently funded to $13.8 million.

DARPA's FAST program aims to develop a new, ultra-lightweight High PowerGeneration System (HPGS) that can generate up to 175 kilowatts -- morepower than is currently available to the International Space Station. Whencombined with electric propulsion, FAST will form the foundation for futureself-deployed, high-mobility spacecraft to perform ultra-high-powercommunications, space radar, satellite transfer and servicing missions.

Boeing Phantom Works of Huntington Beach, California is leading the effortwith support from Boeing Network and Space Systems, El Segundo, California.The Phase 2 work will include designing, fabricating and integrating testarticles, performing a series of component-level evaluations and runningtwo full-scale system tests.

"Our team is pleased to partner with DARPA in developing this powerful newtechnology," said Tom Kessler, FAST program manager, Boeing AdvancedNetwork and Space Systems. "FAST offers significant cost and performancebenefits to our commercial, civil and national security customers,including new high-power applications to provide a cost-effective means forspacecraft to travel to the outer solar system."

During Phase 1 of the program, the Boeing-led team, which includes DRTechnologies, Northrop Grumman Astro Aerospace, Texas A&M University,EMCORE, Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab Inc., and other key suppliers,developed a preliminary design for an HPGS capable of providing more than130 watts per kilogram on a system that is less than half the weight andone sixth the size of an existing on-orbit solar power system. The teamalso defined the test program being conducted in Phase 2, which will verifythe performance and operation of the HPGS's solar concentration, powerconversion, heat rejection, structure and deployment, and sun pointing andtracking subsystems.

The Boeing team's unique solar concentrator design offers higherperformance and greater radiation tolerance than current on-orbit solarpower generation systems. Boeing will also be using different approaches tosolar cell technology to include capabilities from EMCORE and Spectrolab.

The size efficiency of the HPGS enables a new class of compact spacecraftthat can self-deploy from low-Earth orbit to reach their final orbit usingelectric propulsion. This permits the use of smaller, less expensive launchvehicles that can support high-value science missions to the outer solarsystem without the need for expensive radioisotope power systems.

About EMCORE:

EMCORE Corporation offers a broad portfolio of compound semiconductor-basedproducts for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and solar power markets.EMCORE's Fiber Optic segment offers optical components, subsystems andsystems for high speed data and telecommunications networks, cabletelevision (CATV) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). EMCORE's Photovoltaicsegment 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. Forterrestrial applications, EMCORE is adapting its high-efficiency GaAs solarcells for use in solar concentrator systems. For further information aboutEMCORE, visithttp://www.emcore.com.

About Boeing Integrated Defense Systems:

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one ofthe world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovativeand capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest andmost versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St.Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with70,000 employees worldwide.

Forward-looking statements:

The information provided herein may include forward-looking statementswithin the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statementsinclude, but are not limited to, any statement or implication that the FASTcontract described will run for its full term. Such forward-lookingstatements involve risks and uncertainties that, if realized, couldmaterially impair the Company's results of operations, business, andfinancial condition These risks and uncertainties include, but are notlimited to, (a) the successful completion or early termination of the FASTcontract; (b) the successful development of the HPGS product under theterms of that contract, and (c) factors discussed from time to time inreports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made asof the date hereof and EMCORE does not assume any obligation to update thereasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected inthe forward-looking statements.

Contact:

EMCORE Corporation
Silvia M. Gentile
Executive Offices
(505) 323-3417
info@emcore.com

TTC Group
Victor Allgeier
(646) 290-6400
vic@ttcominc.com