China Launches Tianyi Satellites to Test Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells

China successfully placed the Tianyi 51 and Tianyi 52 satellites into orbit on September 17 using a Kuaizhou-11 Y3 carrier rocket launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Hosted aboard Tianyi 52 is an experimental flexible perovskite photovoltaic module developed by domestic startup Yanhe Technology. The mission marks China's first module-level engineering test of flexible perovskite solar cells under full operational space conditions, aiming to establish baseline durability data for lightweight, low-cost power generation in future commercial satellite constellations.

Mega-constellation deployment in low Earth orbit requires spacecraft power systems that significantly lower manufacturing costs and structural weight while maintaining high power efficiency. Current space photovoltaics rely heavily on expensive triple-junction gallium arsenide cells or heavy crystalline silicon panels. Validating flexible perovskite modules under actual space conditions moves the technology beyond small-scale laboratory experiments and provides foundational engineering data on whether perovskite films can survive long-term orbital degradation.

China launched two satellites, Tianyi 51 and Tianyi 52, into low Earth orbit on September 17 using a Kuaizhou-11 Y3 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, according to reports from Xinhua and People's Daily. Both satellites entered their predetermined orbits, marking a successful launch mission. Aboard the Tianyi 52 satellite is a flexible perovskite photovoltaic module developed by domestic firm Yanhe Technology. The deployment initiates what Chinese state media characterized as the country's first module-level, full-operating-condition in-orbit engineering verification of flexible perovskite solar technology in commercial aerospace. While previous space experiments focused primarily on the basic scientific properties of small-scale perovskite cells, this mission is designed to evaluate module- and array-level engineering performance. The hardware will be subjected to the low Earth orbit environment, including high vacuum, temperature swings ranging between ±100 degrees Celsius, high-energy particle radiation, and atomic oxygen erosion. The satellite's onboard telemetry system is configured to transmit real-time data to evaluate electrical output, mechanical stability, and interconnect reliability under thermal cycling fatigue and vibration. Space-based photovoltaic systems serve as primary power supplies for satellites, directly dictating payload limits, operational lifespans, and constellation deployment economics. Traditional triple-junction gallium arsenide cells offer high conversion efficiency and radiation stability but come with high manufacturing costs. Crystalline silicon cells are more affordable and mature but suffer from lower efficiency and substantial weight. Flexible perovskites offer high theoretical efficiency and bendability, presenting substantial potential for reducing satellite mass and launch costs, though their long-term stability in space remains an active technical hurdle. Dr. Peng Zongyang, co-founder and chief technology officer of Yanhe Technology, stated that the primary objective of the orbital trial is to map how specific space environmental factors drive performance degradation and failure modes. The resulting data is intended to guide material formulation adjustments, device structural improvements, and engineering standardization. Peng added that the development team plans to conduct additional orbital verification trials later this year covering flexible silicon, perovskite-heterojunction, and perovskite-CIGS tandem cells, as well as integrated solar wing assemblies.