Flexell Space's perovskite-CIGS tandem space solar cell BLUESHELL named CES 2027 honoree
The lightweight flat-plate cell combines perovskite and CIGS for satellites; the company has confirmed three or more in-orbit validations, including the ISS in 2027.
Flexell Space, a South Korean space-energy company led by CEO An Tae-hun, said its BLUESHELL space solar cell was selected as a CES 2027 Innovation Awards honoree in the Energy Transition & Sustainability category, according to biz.heraldcorp.com biz.heraldcorp.com
biz.heraldcorp.combiz.heraldcorp.comOpen source ↗. The award is organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and given for design and engineering excellence among technology products worldwide. CTA said BLUESHELL demonstrated outstanding technical innovation in the review for this category.
BLUESHELL is a lightweight flat-plate space solar cell based on a tandem of perovskite and CIGS. It was developed to supply efficient and stable power to satellites, where mass and payload volume are tightly limited. According to the company, it can be applied to different structures, including the satellite body and deployable solar panels.
Ground tests and orbital demonstrations
Flexell Space reports that ground tests simulating the space radiation environment and extreme temperature changes showed stable operation of BLUESHELL. The company says it is concentrating on reliability rather than on power-generation efficiency alone. The material gives no efficiency figures.
The next step is verification in orbit. The company lists onboard demonstrations on the Nuri launch vehicle in 2025 and 2026, followed by verification on the International Space Station in 2027 and an orbital demonstration on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in cooperation with a Singapore satellite company. In total, three or more space validation events are confirmed biz.heraldcorp.com
biz.heraldcorp.combiz.heraldcorp.comOpen source ↗. The company states that the aim is to obtain real operating data from space.
Market and European base
The publication links the cell to the recent establishment of Korea's space agency and the shift toward a private-sector-led "New Space" era. In that setting it is seen as an option for diversifying power sources and cutting costs for small satellites. The company's strategy is to secure both power performance and manufacturing cost competitiveness.
Flexell Space recently founded a French subsidiary, FLEXELL SPACE FRANCE SAS, which gives it a local base in Europe. It says it is strengthening technical cooperation with European and U.S. partners. An Tae-hun said the award reflects global recognition of a solar cell technology able to withstand extreme space conditions, and that the company intends to complete the ISS and satellite orbital demonstrations.
