Project description
Pioneering photovoltaics increase the power of space satellites without increasing mass and costs
Photovoltaic technology has advanced tremendously since the first practical silicon solar cell was demonstrated in 1954. Photovoltaics are now powering homes, businesses, public lighting, and more recently, satellites. Increasing solar electric propulsion power will provide a turbo-boost to human space exploration and space-related satellite applications. However, innovation is required to keep satellite mass and costs low. The EU-funded ALFAMA project is addressing this need with pioneering technology that will increase satellite power to mass ratio by more than 50 % and more than quadruple power density, at a cost less than that of current systems thanks to high-throughput assembly.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation action
Coordinator
2333 CS Leiden
Netherlands
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Participants (7)
31402 Toulouse Cedex
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82024 Taufkirchen
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75015 Paris 15
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80686 Munchen
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74072 Heilbronn
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6525AJ Nijmegen
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49000 Angers
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.