Duration: 16 months
The project aims to develop a next-generation solar array that addresses the critical limitations of conventional rigid solar panels in spacecraft applications through an inflation-based deployment. Modern satellite missions increasingly demand higher onboard power budgets driven by telecommunications, Earth observation payloads, and electric propulsion systems yet current solar array technologies remain constrained by low power-to-mass ratios and high stowage volume along with a fixed rectangular or cylindrical (in case of roll-out arrays) envelope.
The proposed solution leverages thin-film photovoltaic technology on flexible substrates, deployed through an inflation-based mechanism and stabilized via a rigidization process. This architecture enables compact stowage, simplified assembly, increased deployment reliability, and a target specific power of 300 W/kg, representing a disruptive leap over the current state of the art.
By drastically reducing mass, volume, and manufacturing complexity, the project will unlock new mission architectures for small and large spacecraft alike, lower the cost barrier for commercial operators, and expand European industrial autonomy in space power systems. With early involvement of potential customers and scalable manufacturing approaches, the project sets the foundation for a commercially deployable product, enabling not only future high-power satellite constellations but also long-term prospects such as space-based solar power initiatives.
