Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) announced the production release of its IMM Apex solar cell on Sept. 8, 2026, a germanium-free product designed for use in space applications.

The company states the cell achieves a Beginning of Life solar conversion efficiency of 31.5% and carries 40% lower cell mass compared to conventional multi-junction solar cells. Rocket Lab says IMM Apex is a mechanical and electrical drop-in replacement for existing germanium-based solar cell products, allowing integration into current systems without significant retooling.

Conventional multi-junction solar cells have relied on germanium substrates for approximately three decades. Rocket Lab says eliminating germanium addresses supply chain constraints and rising material costs in the space power sector.

The company says optimized manufacturing processes have enabled production in multi-100-kilowatt volumes. Rocket Lab's earlier IMM cell technology was used on NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter and has powered satellites for more than a decade, according to the press release.

"With IMM Apex, customers gain access to a high-efficiency, lightweight, germanium-free product that combines proven reliability with faster production times," said Brad Clevenger, President of Rocket Lab USA.

Rocket Lab states that more than 1,100 satellites currently on orbit use its solar products, and the company has supplied solar technology for programs including the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA's Artemis lunar missions.

IMM Apex is available now, according to Rocket Lab.