Bye Aerospace and Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. Developing Aircraft for Improved Investigation of Mars

THORNTON, CO--(Marketwired - Oct 27, 2015) - October 27, 2015 - Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI), a provider of lightweight, flexible photovoltaic (PV) solutions is working closely with Bye Aerospace, a pioneer in the field of clean energy propulsion for aviation, to develop a unique aircraft to fill the gap between mapping and surveillance of Mars from orbital satellites and ground-based rovers.

The aircraft, known as the "Mars SOLESA" ("solar electric survey aircraft")," is a unique approach taken by Bye Aerospace allowing for closer investigation of the Martian surface with greater resolution and flexibility than the orbital satellites currently operating above the surface, but with far greater range and perspective than rovers. In conjunction with solar power provided by Ascent Solar, the Mars SOLESA concept will enable the vehicle to fly through the Martian atmosphere, gathering pertinent and novel data along the way.

Ascent Solar PV enables day-time recharging of the SOLESA batteries. The fresh charge allows multiple series of flights. Special rugged landing gear, combined with cutting edge ground sensing technology, enable autonomous landing site selection and short takeoff and landing distances. By flying at altitudes of a few hundred up to a few thousand feet above the Martian surface, the vehicle can cover more area in less time than the family of rovers currently employed on the surface, while maintaining greater resolution and perspective.

"With the advances we are making in solar-electric propulsion for manned and unmanned aircraft, the next logical step is to turn our attention to important exploration projects such as Mars SOLESA" George Bye, CEO & Chairman of Bye Aerospace said. "We have worked with Ascent Solar on several of our innovations, and commend them for their forward vision."

"We've had our eye on Mars from the beginning, from ground-based power stations to atmospheric-based operations," said Joe Armstrong, CTO of Ascent Solar. "The development of the Mars SOLESA with Bye Aerospace matches up well with our internal development of a higher performance PV product that gives the SOLESA an impressive performance envelope. We have been working with Bye Aerospace for some time on this vehicle as it leans heavily upon both our unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) projects and is a perfect intersection of several key improvements in performance that are in process."

ABOUT ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules using flexible substrate materials that can transform the way solar power generation integrates into everyday life, on this planet and others as well. Ascent Solar modules were named as one of the top 100 technologies in 2010 by R&D Magazine, and one of TIME Magazine's 50 best inventions for 2011. Fully integrated portable PV power solutions have been named as finalists for the R&D Magazine Top 100 technologies in 2015. The technology described above represents the cutting edge of flexible power and can be directly integrated into consumer products and off-grid applications, as well as other aerospace applications. More information can be found at www.ascentsolar.com.

ABOUT BYE AEROSPACE, INC.
Bye Aerospace, founded in 2007 and headquartered near Denver, is applying clean energy solutions to innovative aircraft designs for the general aviation and defense markets. For more information, go to www.ByeAerospace.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:
PCG Advisory Group
Media Relations
Sean Leous
[e-mail]
[phone]

Investor Relations
Adam Holdsworth
[e-mail]
[phone]