The Contract Award is Valued at Approximately $5 Million

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 it has been awarded a solar panel manufacturing contract by ATK for the AMOS-6 commercial telecommunications satellite planned for launch in early 2015. Solar panels populated with EMCORE's most advanced ZTJ triple-junction solar cells will power the AMOS-6 spacecraft manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

AMOS-6, operated by Spacecom, is to be co-located at the 4˚W orbital position with AMOS-2 and AMOS-3. It will provide steerable Ku-band with Pan-European and Middle East coverage, and a Ka-band beam for broadband services in Africa and Europe. The AMOS satellite fleet, beginning with the AMOS-1 in 1996, provides broadcasting and communications services to DTH (Direct-To-Home) television operators, TV broadcasters and programmers, government and corporate organizations, and VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network operators.

"We are excited about this opportunity to adapt our space-proven modular PUMA array, from GPS IIF and Orbital's Star2 GEO line, to provide power to IAI's AMOS-6 satellite for Spacecom," said Dave Messner, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Deployables business in Goleta, CA. "We look forward to delivering over 10kW of end-of-life power using EMCORE's solar cell technology to enable another successful satellite mission." 

"This is an important award for EMCORE. The manufacture of the AMOS-6 solar panels will reinforce our heritage in the telecom satellite business and allow us to pursue future opportunities in that market," said Brad Clevenger, General Manager of EMCORE's Photovoltaics Division. "EMCORE greatly values our long-standing business relationship with ATK, and we are extremely honored to receive this award. We look forward to working with ATK on the AMOS-6 mission."

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.  EMCORE's proven manufacturing capability, technology leadership, and high-reliability solar panels make us the supplier of choice for demanding spacecraft power systems.

About EMCORE

EMCORE Corporation offers a broad portfolio of compound semiconductor-based products for the fiber optics and solar power markets. EMCORE's Fiber Optics business segment provides optical components, subsystems and systems for high-speed telecommunications, Cable Television (CATV) and Fiber-To-The-Premise (FTTP) networks, as well as products for satellite communications, video transport and specialty photonics technologies for defense and homeland security applications. EMCORE's Solar Photovoltaics business segment provides products for space power applications including high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells, Covered Interconnect Cells (CICs) and complete satellite solar panels. For further information about EMCORE, visit http://www.emcore.com.

About ATK

ATK (NYSE:ATK) is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, with annual revenues of approximately $4.6 billion for the period ending March 31, 2012. Further news and information about ATK can be found on the Internet at www.atk.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, as amended.  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.  These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about EMCORE and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (a) the termination for convenience of the contract for the AMOS-6 mission, which is permitted by the terms of that contract, and (b) factors discussed in more detail in EMCORE's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and EMCORE undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: EMCORE Corporation

         Navid Fatemi

         Vice President, Business Development

         (505) 332-5000

         navid_fatemi@emcore.com

         

         TTC Group

         Victor Allgeier

         (646) 290-6400

         vic@ttcominc.com