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韩国空间能源公司 Flexell Space 与新加坡立方星服务商 Satoro 近日签署合作协议,将联合开展下一代太空太阳能电池的在轨演示与验证(IOD/IOV)。根据协议,双方计划在 2027 年和 2028 年各执行一次演示任务,两颗演示卫星均将由 SpaceX Falcon 9 火箭发射入轨。此次合作的核心目标,是在真实空间环境中检验 Flexell Space 太阳能电池的性能与可靠性,为其后续商业化供应积累关键技术数据。
分工明确:从卫星制造到载荷验证的一体化协作
合作模式上,Satoro 将承担演示卫星的制造工作,并提供其主打的"卫星即服务"(Satellite-as-a-service)整体解决方案;Flexell Space 则负责供应太阳能电池及测试模块,由前者集成到立方星平台之中。双方还将围绕立方星平台与演示载荷的技术需求展开协调,共同评估太阳能电池在轨运行特性与实际性能表现。
对 Satoro 而言,这一定位与其既有积累高度契合。该公司自 2021 年成立以来,已在 8 次发射中成功部署 11 颗卫星,保持 100% 的发射成功率,业务覆盖卫星制造、载荷集成、发射协调及在轨运营验证全链条。对 Flexell Space 来说,这已是其第三次和第四次在轨验证机会——此前该公司曾于 2025 年 11 月和 2026 年 10 月两次通过韩国 KSLV-II 火箭开展太空演示任务,此次合作将进一步扩大在轨验证的规模与频次。
【关键数据】
- 在轨演示任务: 2 次,分别于 2027 年和 2028 年执行
- 发射载具: SpaceX Falcon 9(两次任务均采用)
- Satoro 发射成功率: 100%,8 次发射部署 11 颗卫星
- Flexell Space 历史在轨任务: 2 次(2025 年 11 月、2026 年 10 月,搭载 KSLV-II)
- 技术路线: CIGS(铜铟镓硒)与钙钛矿太阳能电池
技术路线:低成本、大面积、超轻量
Flexell Space 脱胎于韩华系统(Hanwha Systems)的内部创业项目,其技术路线聚焦 CIGS 和钙钛矿两类薄膜太阳能电池,主打低成本、大面积、超轻量的卫星供电方案。与传统三结砷化镓电池相比,这类技术路线在成本与可扩展性上具备潜力,但要进入商业供应链,耐久性、抗辐照能力以及长期在轨可靠性仍需实际数据支撑——这正是两次演示任务要回答的问题。
按照规划,Flexell Space 将通过这两次任务,把地面测试结果与在轨运行数据进行对比验证,评估太阳能电池的输出功率特性及性能随时间的变化趋势。所获数据将支撑进一步的设计改进与可靠性验证,为全球客户的评估及未来的商业供应奠定技术基础。Flexell Space CEO 安泰勋表示,太阳能电池的商业化需要地面验证与在轨数据双重支撑,2027 年和 2028 年的两次演示机会将帮助公司系统性地完成性能与可靠性验证。
商业化路径:在轨数据成竞争入场券
从行业视角看,太空太阳能电池市场的竞争逻辑正在从"实验室效率"转向"在轨实证"。卫星运营商和空间机构在选型时,越来越看重供应商能否提供真实轨道环境下的衰减数据和可靠性记录。Flexell Space 与 Satoro 的合作,本质上是借助后者的快速任务集成能力,压缩从研发到在轨验证的周期。
低轨星座建设持续升温带动了卫星电源系统的需求增长,CIGS 与钙钛矿方案若能在 2027-2028 年的验证中证明其商业级可靠性,有望在成本敏感的大规模星座市场打开局面。两次任务的在轨数据表现,将成为观察这一新兴技术路线商业化前景的关键窗口。
出处:Flexell Space and Satoro Agree to Collaborate on In-Orbit Demonstration of Next-Generation Space Solar Cells
英文原文– Two demonstration missions planned aboard SpaceX Falcon 9, one each in 2027 and 2028
– Satoro to provide “Satellite-as-a-service” solution; Flexell Space to supply solar cells and test modules
Uiwang-si, Korea – Flexell Space, a space energy company led by CEO Taehun Ahn, announced that it has signed an agreement with Singapore-based CubeSat specialist Satoro, led by CEO Mark Lu, for the in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) of next-generation space solar cells.
The agreement aims to verify the performance and reliability of Flexell Space’s solar cells in the actual space environment. The companies plan to conduct two demonstration missions, one in 2027 and another in 2028. Each demonstration satellite is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Flexell Space previously conducted two space demonstration missions through launches aboard Korea’s KSLV-II, in November 2025 and October 2026. Building on this experience, the agreement with Satoro will expand opportunities for in-orbit validation of its next-generation space solar cells and support the continued accumulation of operational data needed for commercialization.
Under the agreement, Satoro will manufacture the satellites for the demonstration missions, while Flexell Space will supply the solar cells and test modules to be integrated into them. The companies will coordinate technical requirements for the CubeSat platforms and demonstration payloads, working together to evaluate the solar cells’ operating characteristics and performance in orbit.
Through these missions, Flexell Space plans to compare and validate ground-test results against in-orbit operational data and assess the solar cells’ power output characteristics and performance changes over time. Data collected from both missions will support further design improvements and reliability validation, strengthening the technical foundation for evaluations by global customers and future commercial supply.
The collaboration brings together Satoro’s expertise in CubeSat manufacturing and demonstration missions with Flexell Space’s capabilities in next-generation solar cell development. Flexell Space is developing solar cell technologies based on CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) and perovskites, with a focus on commercializing low-cost, large-area, ultralight power solutions for satellites and a wide range of space infrastructure.
“Commercializing space solar cells requires both ground-based performance validation and data collected in orbit,” said Taehun Ahn, CEO of Flexell Space. “With two demonstration opportunities secured for 2027 and 2028, we will systematically verify the performance and reliability of our next-generation solar cells and build the technical evidence required by global customers.”
He added, “Our collaboration with Satoro establishes a clear path from development to in-orbit demonstration and will accelerate our preparations for future commercial supply.”
“We are pleased to work with Flexell Space on the demonstration of its next-generation space solar cells,” said Mark Lu, CEO of Satoro. “Drawing on Satoro’s CubeSat ?platforms and mission integration capabilities, we will work closely with Flexell Space to help secure the in-orbit data needed to validate its technology.”
He added, “We look forward to these two demonstration missions advancing the commercial potential of new space power technologies and laying the groundwork for continued technical collaboration between our companies.”
About Flexell Space
Flexell Space is a space energy company that originated as an internal venture at Hanwha Systems and develops next-generation space solar cells and power solutions. The company focuses on low-cost, large-area, ultralight products based on CIGS and perovskite solar cell technologies, with an emphasis on the durability, radiation tolerance, and long-term operational reliability required for space applications. Through collaboration with global satellite manufacturers and space agencies, Flexell Space is advancing the commercialization of solar cell technologies for satellites and space infrastructure.
About Satoro
Satoro is a Singapore-based “Satellite-as-a-service” solutions company providing integrated services spanning satellite manufacturing, payload integration, launch coordination, and in-orbit operations, demonstration, and validation (IOD/IOV). Since 2021, the company has successfully deployed 11 satellites into orbit across eight launches, achieving a 100% launch success rate. Drawing on this experience and technical expertise, Satoro supports global customers in validating and commercializing their space technologies.
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