SATORO to Build CubeSat, Flexell Space to Supply Solar Cells
Ahn Tae-hoon, CEO of Flexell Space (left), and Chai Yunfeng, CTO of SATORO, pose for a commemorative photo after signing an agreement for in-orbit demonstration of space solar cells. Photo courtesy of Flexell Space
Space energy company Flexell Space (CEO Ahn Tae-hoon) announced that it has signed a contract with Singapore CubeSat company SATORO (CEO Mark Lu) for in-orbit demonstration and verification (IOD/IOV) of space solar cells.
According to Flexell Space, the two companies plan to carry out one demonstration mission each in 2027 and 2028. The company said the demonstration CubeSats are scheduled to be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Flexell Space explained that it will conduct two space demonstrations with the fourth launch of Nuri in November 2025 and the fifth launch in October 2026.
Under the agreement, SATORO will be responsible for CubeSat manufacturing and mission execution using a Satellite-as-a-Service model, while Flexell Space will provide the solar cells and test modules to be mounted on board. The companies stated that they will jointly coordinate the technical requirements of the CubeSat platform and the payloads.
Flexell Space said it plans to compare the operational data obtained in orbit with ground test results and evaluate the output characteristics of the solar cells and performance changes over time. The company added that the collected data will be used to improve product design and verify reliability.
CEO Ahn Tae-hoon said, “Commercialization of space solar cells requires data obtained in actual orbit,” and added, “We will verify performance and reliability through the two demonstration missions.”
SATORO CEO Mark Lu said, “We will cooperate to ensure that Flexell Space can obtain the orbital data it needs.”
Flexell Space is a space energy company that originated as an in-house venture of Hanwha Systems and is developing space solar cells based on copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and perovskite.
Choi Yong-seok
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
ⓒ dongA.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction, redistribution, or use for AI training prohibited.