Flexell and Satoro Plan Orbital Solar Cell Tests
The partnership aims to validate thin-film solar technology for satellite power through two missions launching by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Space
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Flexell Space and Satoro have entered an agreement to conduct two in-orbit demonstrations of solar cell technology. These research-stage missions, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, aim to validate the performance of CIGS and perovskite-based solar modules in space.
Why it matters
Reliable space-based power generation is essential for the commercialization of satellite constellations. These missions will generate the flight data required to prove whether these specific thin-film technologies can maintain efficiency in the harsh orbital environment.
Flexell Space is testing solar modules using CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) and perovskites, which are thin-film materials known for high power-to-weight ratios. The hardware will be integrated into Satoro-manufactured satellites to measure energy output degradation compared to standard rigid silicon cells.
The players
Flexell Space
A Uiwang-si based developer specializing in lightweight, flexible CIGS and perovskite solar cell technologies.
Satoro
A Singapore-based satellite manufacturer and provider of satellite-as-a-service solutions with 11 successful orbital deployments.
SpaceX
The private aerospace company providing launch services via its Falcon 9 medium-lift launch vehicle.
The details
Satoro will provide a satellite-as-a-service solution, managing the orbital platform that hosts the Flexell test modules. Each mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, placing the hardware into orbit to test environmental durability. By integrating these test modules directly onto active satellite buses, the team can collect real-world telemetry on how vacuum exposure and thermal cycling affect cell performance over time.
Timeline
2021: Satoro began its orbital deployment program.
November 2025: Flexell Space completed a prior orbital demonstration mission.
October 2026: Flexell Space completed a prior orbital demonstration mission.
2027: First joint demonstration mission scheduled for launch.
2028: Second joint demonstration mission scheduled for launch.
The Tech Race
This effort follows a string of recent space-based testing milestones including Flexell’s own 2025 and 2026 missions. It accelerates the move toward low-cost, high-efficiency thin-film solar arrays that could replace traditional, heavier rigid panels in satellite architectures.
This technology is strictly in the research phase and will not impact current consumer electronics or satellite services. The success of these trials will determine whether future satellite operators gain access to lighter, potentially cheaper power sources for their orbiters.
The takeaway
These missions aim to prove if thin-film solar technology can survive the orbital environment long enough for commercial use. Watch for flight data reports following the 2027 launch to see if the modules meet the reliability benchmarks required for widespread industry adoption.
What happens next
The companies are slated to perform their first joint demonstration mission in 2027, followed by a second mission in 2028.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in Space for more on orbital power and satellite deployment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SpaceNews.
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