[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING SPECTROLAB ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2006

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Brad Sherman 
(CA-27) to pay tribute to Spectrolab, a subsidiary of the Boeing 
Company, on its 50th anniversary and to celebrate the delivery of its 
two millionth solar cell. We are honored to represent many of 
Spectrolab's employees and are proud of their great accomplishments.
  Spectrolab is the world's leading manufacturer of space solar cells 
and solar panels. Throughout the years, Spectrolab solar cells and 
solar panels have powered more than 500 satellites and interplanetary 
missions, including the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which are still 
exploring the surface of Mars. Also, all of the solar panels on 
spacecraft on Mars are manufactured by Spectrolab.
  In 1956, Spectrolab was founded by a group of engineers who began 
providing high-quality optical filters and mirrors for government 
systems. In 1958, Pioneer 1 carried the company's first body-mounted 
solar panels into space. Shortly thereafter, Explorer 6 was the first 
satellite to use Spectrolab' s solar arrays, and Spectrolab's first 
solar cell panel was placed on the moon by Apollo's mission in 1969. 
Galaxy 111C, the world's highest capacity satellite, launched on June 
15, 2002 carrying the latest solar cell technology developed and 
manufactured at Spectrolab. Its contributions to the space industry 
cannot be overstated.
  Spectrolab is well respected in its industry and has received a 
myriad of well deserved accolades. NASA's George M. Low Award for 
Supplier Quality and Excellence was given to Spectrolab in 2004. Also, 
Spectrolab's multi-junction cells were inducted into the Space 
Technology Hall of Fame by the United States Space Foundation that same 
year.
  Currently, Spectrolab scientists are working to build and test solar 
cells for concentrator systems that may one day generate inexpensive 
and renewable electricity for America's cities and towns. Their 
expertise in space photovoltaic products earned Boeing the contract to 
build solar concentrator cells for a leading renewable energy company.
  Spectrolab's product portfolio includes terrestrial concentrator 
solar cells and panels, searchlight systems, solar simulators and 
photodetector products. More than 90 percent of all law enforcement 
aircraft and helicopters worldwide use Spectrolab's Nightsun 
searchlights.
  It is with pleasure and gratitude that we salute Spectrolab for its 
extraordinary accomplishments over the past fifty years.

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