Yanhe Technology (formerly Yanhe Solar), the Chinese flexible perovskite PV developer, has launched its self-developed flexible perovskite module into orbit aboard the Tianyi-52 satellite, which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on September 17. The company says this is China's first module-level, full-operating-conditions in-orbit engineering validation of flexible perovskite PV technology in the commercial space sector.
The module now begins long-term performance monitoring in orbit, where it will be evaluated under high vacuum, temperature cycling between -100°C and +100°C, high-energy particle irradiation, and atomic oxygen erosion. Yanhe will track electrical output, interconnection reliability, and mechanical stability, with data relayed in real time through the satellite's telemetry system.
The launch follows through on plans Yanhe outlined earlier this year, when it said its tandem perovskite modules had passed simulated extreme space environment tests and that multiple satellites carrying its solar cells would launch in 2026, en route to a goal of over 100 satellites by 2028. It also comes a month after the company finalized the engineering prototype of its "Nebula" flexible roll-up space solar wing.
Yanhe said it plans further in-orbit validation later this year covering other technology pathways, including flexible silicon cells, perovskite-HJT and perovskite-CIGS tandem cells, module arrays, and complete solar array wings.
