Flexell Space Partners with Singapore’s Satoro for In-Orbit Demonstration of Next-Generation Space Solar Cells on SpaceX Falcon 9

UIWANG-SI, South Korea — In a strategic move to accelerate the commercialization of lightweight and cost-effective space power solutions, South Korean space energy startup Flexell Space has inked a formal agreement with Singapore-based CubeSat specialist Satoro. The partnership will facilitate two critical in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) missions scheduled for 2027 and 2028. Both demonstration payloads are slated to hitch rides aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, marking a significant milestone for both companies as they seek to expand their footprints in the rapidly evolving global commercial space market.

Under the terms of the newly minted agreement, Satoro will leverage its comprehensive "Satellite-as-a-service" capabilities to manufacture the designated satellites and manage payload integration. Meanwhile, Flexell Space will supply its proprietary advanced solar cells and specialized test modules. The collaboration aims to test, measure, and verify the performance, durability, and operational reliability of Flexell Space’s next-generation photovoltaic technology under genuine space environmental conditions, bridging the crucial gap between laboratory development and full-scale commercialization.

Building on a Proven Flight Heritage

This upcoming partnership does not mark Flexell Space’s first foray into the harsh environment of low Earth orbit (LEO). The company—which originated as an internal corporate venture backed by defense and technology giant Hanwha Systems—has methodically built a flight heritage over recent years. Flexell Space previously conducted two space demonstration missions aboard South Korea’s homegrown KSLV-II (Nuri) launch vehicle, with flights successfully executing in November 2025 and October 2026.

These early domestic flights provided invaluable initial telemetry and operational data. However, the upcoming 2027 and 2028 missions with Satoro and SpaceX represent a substantial expansion of the company’s validation roadmap. By utilizing standardized CubeSat platforms deployed via frequent and reliable commercial flights like the SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare program, Flexell Space can systematically gather extensive datasets across prolonged operational lifespans. This accumulated evidence is deemed essential for satisfying the rigorous compliance and performance benchmarks demanded by international satellite operators and aerospace primes.

The Technology: CIGS and Perovskites in Space

At the heart of this partnership is Flexell Space’s heavy investment in alternative photovoltaic materials, specifically copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and perovskite solar cell technologies. Traditional space-grade solar cells predominantly rely on rigid, highly expensive, multi-junction silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers. While these traditional cells offer high conversion efficiencies, they are notoriously heavy, inflexible, and costly to manufacture in large volumes—limitations that run counter to the modern space industry’s push toward mega-constellations and mass-produced smallsats.

Flexell Space’s research and development focus centers on low-cost, large-area, and ultralight power solutions. CIGS and perovskite architectures offer distinct advantages, including high power-to-weight ratios, mechanical flexibility, and resilience against certain types of radiation damage when properly engineered. In orbit, the 2027 and 2028 demonstration modules will allow engineers to directly compare actual power output curves, thermal degradation rates, and overall efficiency retention against the predictive data gathered during rigorous ground-based testing.

Satoro’s Turnkey Satellite-as-a-Service Model

For Satoro, the partnership underscores its growing reputation as a reliable provider of turnkey small satellite solutions. Since entering the commercial space services sector in 2021, the Singaporean company has carved out a distinct niche by streamlining the traditionally complex process of getting experimental payloads into orbit.

Satoro’s operational model covers the entire lifecycle of a small satellite mission: initial design and manufacturing, payload integration, launch procurement, and comprehensive in-orbit operations and data telemetry management. Boasting an unblemished track record of deploying 11 satellites successfully across eight distinct launches with a 100% success rate, Satoro provides the dependable bus architecture necessary for technology developers like Flexell Space to focus purely on their core payloads without getting bogged down in spacecraft bus engineering.

Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration

Executives from both organizations have emphasized the mutual benefits of the agreement, framing it as a vital stepping stone toward shaping the future of space power generation.

Taehun Ahn, Chief Executive Officer of Flexell Space, highlighted the necessity of real-world operational data in a sector where failure is exceptionally costly. "Commercializing space solar cells requires both ground-based performance validation and continuous data collected directly in orbit," Ahn stated. "With two dedicated demonstration opportunities secured for 2027 and 2028, we will systematically verify the performance and reliability of our next-generation solar cells and build the robust technical evidence required by global customers."

Ahn further noted that the alliance with Satoro streamlines the company’s trajectory from advanced research to market readiness. "Our collaboration with Satoro establishes a clear, dependable path from development to in-orbit demonstration and will significantly accelerate our preparations for future commercial supply contracts."

Echoing these sentiments, Mark Lu, CEO of Satoro, expressed enthusiasm for supporting advanced energy research that could fundamentally alter the economics of spacecraft design. "We are pleased to work with Flexell Space on the demonstration of its next-generation space solar cells," Lu remarked. "Drawing on Satoro’s proven CubeSat platforms and mission integration capabilities, we will work closely with Flexell Space to help secure the critical in-orbit data needed to validate its technology."

Lu added that the missions carry broader implications for the smallsat community. "We look forward to these two demonstration missions advancing the commercial potential of new space power technologies and laying the groundwork for continued, long-term technical collaboration between our companies."

Broader Implications for the Global Space Economy

The outcome of the 2027 and 2028 missions could send ripples through the broader aerospace and satellite manufacturing industries. As constellations of small and medium-sized satellites multiply to support global broadband, Earth observation, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks, the demand for affordable, high-efficiency power generation has never been higher.

Traditional solar array manufacturing bottlenecks and high material costs have historically constrained production timelines. If Flexell Space can successfully prove that its CIGS and perovskite-based solar modules can endure the punishing thermal cycles, atomic oxygen exposure, and radiation belts of low Earth orbit over multi-year lifespans, it could unlock a viable alternative to traditional high-cost solar arrays.

Furthermore, the partnership exemplifies the increasing globalization and commercialization of the space supply chain. By pairing South Korean advanced materials engineering with Singaporean smallsat integration services and American heavy-lift launch capability via SpaceX, the initiative highlights how modern space ventures bypass traditional domestic constraints to build agile, cross-border partnerships aimed at capturing global market share in the new space economy.