Solestial, a US-based manufacturer of solar PV technology for space applications, has announced that it will supply its radiation-hardened ultra-thin silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar panels to Bulgarian satellite bus manufacturer Endurosat in 2025.
The two will not disclose the initial order size, a spokesperson said pv magazine. But they did say in a statement that the agreement includes an additional option of 7 kW of capacity for future power needs.
The Solestial modules will provide primary power for Endurosat’s Frame small satellite series, an evolved secondary payload adapter (ESPA) class satellite expected to fly in the first half of 2026.
Both companies use manufacturing processes that reportedly allow for shorter lead times. Endurosat says it will produce 60 ESPA-class satellites per month from the second quarter of 2026. These have been developed for a variety of mission types, including Earth observation, communications and defense applications.
Endurosat has international offices in Denver, Toulouse and Berlin. Founded in 2015, it recently raised €43 million ($49.71 million) in venture capital to fund production expansion.
Similarly, Solestial recently raised $17 million in venture capital to build out its 2,787-square-foot solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona, which it has been automating and expanding since 2023 to reduce costs and achieve shorter lead times. It was founded in 2013.
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