Hanwha Systems In-house Venture Flexcel Space Signs Solar Cell Business Agreement with US Company

US Terran Orbital and Solar Cell Supply & Overseas Business Cooperation MOU... First Step into the US Market
"Proving Performance of the World's First Space New Material Solar Cell... Establishing Global Market Position"

Hanwha Systems announced on the 28th that its in-house venture Flexcel Space and the U.S. satellite manufacturing company Terran Orbital have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for solar cell supply and overseas business cooperation.

Hanwha Systems' in-house venture Flexcel Space and U.S. satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital signed a business agreement on the 25th (local time) for "solar cell supply and overseas business cooperation." Taehoon Ahn, Senior Researcher at Hanwha Systems and CEO of Flexcel Space (right), Mark Bell, Co-founder and Chairman of Terran Orbital.
[Photo by Hanwha Systems]

The two companies have agreed to strengthen their presence in the U.S. and Asian markets by developing various technological collaborations and joint solutions in the field of satellite manufacturing, including solar cells.

Flexcel Space plans to supply its developing "space-grade tandem solar cells" to Terran Orbital satellites. The two companies are currently collaborating to participate in U.S. government projects related to satellites and solar cells. Through this, they plan to accumulate differentiated products and technological capabilities targeting the Korean and U.S. markets.

Terran Orbital is a leading U.S. satellite manufacturer providing total satellite solutions from design, production, launch, to mission operations for military and civilian satellites. Since 2019, it has been manufacturing military satellite buses (BUS) while working with Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor, on space technology and defense capability projects under the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA). In 2022, Terran Orbital received a $100 million (approximately 143.1 billion KRW) investment from Lockheed Martin to collaborate on the development and sales of small satellites.

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to strengthen their partnership by supplying solar cells for satellites, jointly researching and developing satellite power systems, developing next-generation satellite technologies that can secure strategic advantages in the global market, and sharing resources to improve product performance and price competitiveness.

The solar cells to be supplied to Terran Orbital combine CIGS and perovskite, offering lighter weight and higher output at a lower cost compared to existing product lines. They are gaining attention as a power source driving the advancement of the satellite and spacecraft industry.

Flexcel Space’s tandem solar cells are characterized by their flexibility. They can be deployed in a structure that unfolds, allowing customers to expand the solar cells to the desired output. They can be applied to various satellite surfaces, including small areas and curved surfaces.

Mark Bell, co-founder and chairman of Terran Orbital, said, "This collaboration will be an important milestone in expanding the satellite solutions jointly developed by both companies not only in the U.S. and Asia but globally."

Ahn Tae-hoon, senior researcher at Hanwha Systems and CEO of Flexcel Space, said, "The tandem solar cells, which have improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to existing solar cells, have taken their first step in the U.S., the center of the global space market. We will prove the performance of the world’s first new material solar cells for space and establish a unique position in the global space solar cell market."

Hanwha Systems expects that this agreement will accelerate the commercialization of space-grade tandem solar cells. The company is also focusing on developing key components needed for various projects such as satellite manufacturing, space exploration, and space power plants.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.