Hanwha Systems (CEO Seongcheol Uh) announced on the 13th that its in-house venture, 'Flexell Space,' and Inha University (President Myoung-Woo Cho) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in satellite and solar cell technology.
Through this agreement, Flexell Space and Inha University stated their intention to focus on technological collaboration for satellite design innovation and to work together to advance domestic space industry parts and materials, as well as to secure global leadership.
As a first step, Flexell Space will supply its 'space tandem flexible solar cell' to Inha University's observation satellite 'INHARoSAT (INHA Rollable Solar Array Testbed)' selected as a sub-satellite for the planned Nuri 4 launch in the second half of 2025.
Tandem solar cells combining CIGS and perovskite are attracting attention as a driving force for the advancement of the satellite and spacecraft industry due to their ability to offer lighter weight and higher output compared to existing product lines at a lower cost. Flexell Space's tandem solar cell has a flexible, bendable property, allowing it to be rolled up and unrolled like a scroll and deployed to the desired output level. It can be applied to various satellite surfaces, including small areas and curved surfaces.
※ CIGS: A thin-film solar cell that utilizes a compound (Cu(In,Ga)Se2) composed of four elements: copper (Cu), indium (In), gallium (Ga), and selenium (Se) as the light-absorbing layer material. It is characterized by its low production cost, lightweight, thinness, and excellent light absorption.
※ Perovskite: A solar cell that uses a material with a perovskite (Perovskite) crystal structure, such as calcium titanate (CaTiO3), as the light-absorbing layer. It can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily using a solution process, making it a next-generation solar cell that is attracting attention as a potential replacement for current silicon solar cells and also usable in space.
※ Tandem Solar Cell: Refers to a next-generation solar cell that stacks two solar cells to enhance efficiency by complementarily absorbing sunlight in different wavelength ranges.
Hanwha Systems' in-house venture Flexell Space is focusing on enhancing the efficiency and reliability of tandem solar cells by securing space heritage (Heritage), while Inha University plans to incorporate innovative solar cell technology in satellite development to enhance its differentiated competitiveness in the space field.
As we enter the era of New Space, many space companies are making various attempts to utilize commercial components in space. However, some still emphasize the importance of space verification and space certification to reduce risks in the space environment.
Ki-Young Choi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Inha University, stated, “We will strive to achieve meaningful results that contribute to the domestic aerospace industry through collaboration with Hanwha Systems Flexell Space.” He added, “We will continue to lead research and education related to domestic space development as a core research institute for space technologies, and contribute to the fostering and revitalization of the space industry.”
Tae-Hoon Ahn, Senior Researcher at Hanwha Systems and CEO of Flexell Space, said, “It is the world's first time that a tandem solar cell combining CIGS and perovskite has gone into space.” He continued, “This agreement is the first step in verifying the operability of future solar cells using commercial technologies. We plan to demonstrate its practical value by enduring the actual space environment, including repeated exposure to extreme high and low temperatures caused by radiation and solar heat.” Ahn further expressed his ambition, saying, “By verifying the performance of the first new material solar cell in space, we will establish a unique position in the global space solar cell market.”
Hanwha Systems expects that through this verification, it will be able to accelerate the commercialization of space tandem solar cells and contribute to the growth of the space industry by focusing on the development of core components required for various space projects, including satellite manufacturing, space exploration, and space power plants.
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