{"id":88555,"date":"2026-02-14T12:52:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T15:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/892393796"},"modified":"2026-02-14T12:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T15:52:34","slug":"researchers-develop-powerful-new-technology-that-could-transform-space-missions-were-just-starting-to-see-some-of-the-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/14\/researchers-develop-powerful-new-technology-that-could-transform-space-missions-were-just-starting-to-see-some-of-the-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers develop powerful new technology that could transform space missions: &#8216;We&#8217;re just starting to see some of the results&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"theco-ads-after-featured-image theco-target\" id=\"theco-3151187683\" data-theco-trackid=\"66778\" data-theco-trackbid=\"1\">\n var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/p>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-7764676106842-0\">  googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot( &#8216;\/22934660287\/article-page-image&#8217;, [300,250], &#8216;gpt-ad-7764676106842-0&#8217; ) .addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting( &#8216;tags&#8217;, [&#8216;green-tech&#8217;, &#8216;business&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;heat-pumps&#8217;, &#8216;here-on-earth&#8217;, &#8216;home&#8217;, &#8216;solar-panels&#8217;, &#8216;tech-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;waste-less&#8217;, &#8216;tech-2&#8217;] ).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {}; const timers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers; timers[&#8216;gpt-ad-7764676106842-0&#8217;] = setTimeout( function () { const id = &#8216;gpt-ad-7764676106842-0&#8217;; document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 1000 ); if ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotRequested&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { return; } clearTimeout( timers[id] ); timers[id] = setTimeout( function () { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 2500 ); } ); googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotResponseReceived&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] !== &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { clearTimeout( timers[id] ); delete ( timers[id] ); } if ( ! ev.slot.getResponseInformation() ) { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); } } ); window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener = true; } googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display( &#8216;gpt-ad-7764676106842-0&#8217; ); } );\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A new generation of solar technology could soon make space missions cheaper, more flexible, and more powerful. It might even help improve clean energy solutions back here on Earth.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/solarquarter.com\/2026\/01\/15\/radiation-tolerant-thin-film-photovoltaic-technology-for-power-systems-in-cislunar-missions\/\" target=\"_blank\">Solar Quarter<\/a>, researchers and engineers at <a href=\"https:\/\/ascentsolar.com\/solutions\" target=\"_blank\">Ascent Solar Technologies<\/a> are advancing radiation-tolerant, thin-film photovoltaic panels, a lightweight and flexible form of solar power designed to operate in extreme environments like cislunar space, the region between the Earth and the Moon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These conditions expose spacecraft to intense radiation and higher energy demands, making traditional rigid solar panels heavy, fragile, and difficult to deploy.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike conventional panels mounted on glass, Ascent&#8217;s technology uses copper indium gallium selenide materials that can be rolled, folded, or mounted without adding unnecessary weight, as launch costs can reach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/science\/space\/space-launch-costs-growing-business-industry-rcna23488\" target=\"_blank\">thousands of dollars per pound<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"theco-ad-after-5th-paragraph theco-target\" id=\"theco-2265780950\" data-theco-trackid=\"66776\" data-theco-trackbid=\"1\">\n var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/p>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-9450023241718-0\">  googletag.cmd.push(function() { var mapping = googletag.sizeMapping().<br \/>\naddSize([0, 0], [[300, 250], [300, 600]]).<br \/>\nbuild(); googletag.defineSlot( &#8216;\/22934660287\/article-page-mid&#8217;, [[300,250],[300,600],[320,480],[400,300]], &#8216;gpt-ad-9450023241718-0&#8217; ) .addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting( &#8216;tags&#8217;, [&#8216;green-tech&#8217;, &#8216;business&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;heat-pumps&#8217;, &#8216;here-on-earth&#8217;, &#8216;home&#8217;, &#8216;solar-panels&#8217;, &#8216;tech-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;waste-less&#8217;, &#8216;tech-2&#8217;] ).defineSizeMapping(mapping).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {}; const timers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers; timers[&#8216;gpt-ad-9450023241718-0&#8217;] = setTimeout( function () { const id = &#8216;gpt-ad-9450023241718-0&#8217;; document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 1000 ); if ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotRequested&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { return; } clearTimeout( timers[id] ); timers[id] = setTimeout( function () { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 2500 ); } ); googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotResponseReceived&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] !== &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { clearTimeout( timers[id] ); delete ( timers[id] ); } if ( ! ev.slot.getResponseInformation() ) { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); } } ); window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener = true; } googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display( &#8216;gpt-ad-9450023241718-0&#8217; ); } );\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>That flexibility could unlock longer missions, larger scientific payloads, and more resilient spacecraft designs. Early testing shows the panels can maintain stable power output even under deep-space radiation, a key requirement for future lunar transit, orbit, and surface operations, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/ascentsolar.com\/solutions\" target=\"_blank\">the company&#8217;s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Behind the breakthrough is more than a decade of manufacturing research. Ascent has refined production methods to boost efficiency to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pv-magazine.com\/2025\/06\/12\/ascent-solar-unveils-production-scale-15-7-cigs-modules-for-space\/\" target=\"_blank\">nearly 16%<\/a> in commercial runs with its Titan module while improving durability and heat management, per PV Magazine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The company uses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2211379725002669\" target=\"_blank\">molybdenum layers<\/a> to disperse heat, which not only protects the panels but could even be repurposed to generate extra electricity through thermoelectric systems.<\/p>\n<p>Space technology like this is crucial for scientific research and the clean energy transition at home. NASA is already planning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/green-tech\/nasa-earth-system-explorers-program-concept-studies\/\" target=\"_blank\">new space missions in 2030<\/a> to better understand changes happening on Earth, and experts say space-based technologies could become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/green-tech\/space-based-technologies-renewable-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\">major driver of renewable energy<\/a> in the years ahead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"theco-ad-before-10th-paragraph theco-target\" id=\"theco-2461913138\" data-theco-trackid=\"66780\" data-theco-trackbid=\"1\">\n var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/p>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-4721238462208-0\">  googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot( &#8216;\/22934660287\/article-page-low&#8217;, [[300,250],[300,600]], &#8216;gpt-ad-4721238462208-0&#8217; ) .addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting( &#8216;tags&#8217;, [&#8216;green-tech&#8217;, &#8216;business&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy&#8217;, &#8216;clean-energy-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;heat-pumps&#8217;, &#8216;here-on-earth&#8217;, &#8216;home&#8217;, &#8216;solar-panels&#8217;, &#8216;tech-showcase&#8217;, &#8216;waste-less&#8217;, &#8216;tech-2&#8217;] ).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {}; const timers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers; timers[&#8216;gpt-ad-4721238462208-0&#8217;] = setTimeout( function () { const id = &#8216;gpt-ad-4721238462208-0&#8217;; document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 1000 ); if ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotRequested&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] === &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { return; } clearTimeout( timers[id] ); timers[id] = setTimeout( function () { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); delete ( timers[id] ); }, 2500 ); } ); googletag.pubads().addEventListener( &#8216;slotResponseReceived&#8217;, function ( ev ) { const id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId(); if ( typeof timers[id] !== &#8216;undefined&#8217; ) { clearTimeout( timers[id] ); delete ( timers[id] ); } if ( ! ev.slot.getResponseInformation() ) { document.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( &#8216;aagam_empty_slot&#8217;, {detail: id} ) ); } } ); window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener = true; } googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display( &#8216;gpt-ad-4721238462208-0&#8217; ); } );\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While space remains the primary focus, the technology has promising Earth-based applications as well. The same lightweight and flexible panels are being explored for high-altitude <a href=\"https:\/\/ascentaerosystems.com\" target=\"_blank\">drones<\/a>, defense equipment, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2024\/02\/guest-column-thin-film-solar-panels-can-unlock-agrivoltaics\/\" target=\"_blank\">agrivoltaics<\/a>, where solar canopies could generate power without blocking crops or heavy machinery \u2014 something the company&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2024\/02\/guest-column-thin-film-solar-panels-can-unlock-agrivoltaics\/\" target=\"_blank\">CEO is pushing<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are developing certain modules that will be standard,&#8221; Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar, told <a href=\"https:\/\/pv-magazine-usa.com\/2026\/01\/13\/ascent-solar-expands-frontiers-for-thin-film-pv-in-space\/\" target=\"_blank\">PV Magazine<\/a>. &#8220;But we can still take those modules and design something for custom applications.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"theco-10th-p-carousel theco-target\" id=\"theco-317585355\" data-theco-trackid=\"446882\" data-theco-trackbid=\"1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-tcd-accordion\">\n<div class=\"container-large\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-tcd-accordion-item\">\n<div class=\"accordion\">\n<div class=\"info-container\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-text h3\">TCD Picks \u00bb Upway Spotlight<\/h2>\n<p class=\"description-text\">\ud83d\udca1Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Lower launch costs and growing interest in lunar exploration mean this tech could move from testing to real-world deployment within the next few years. Still, Warley <a href=\"https:\/\/pv-magazine-usa.com\/2026\/01\/13\/ascent-solar-expands-frontiers-for-thin-film-pv-in-space\/\" target=\"_blank\">noted<\/a> the space industry moves slowly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m still working with 18- to 30-month sales cycles,&#8221; he told the publication. &#8220;So, we&#8217;re just starting to see some of the results of our hard work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-smart-upgrades-that-slash-monthly-energy-bills\">Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills<\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking to harness the power of the sun back at home, check out <a href=\"http:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/solar-explorer\" target=\"_blank\">TCD&#8217;s Solar Explorer<\/a> to understand your options and cost savings when <a href=\"http:\/\/guide.thecooldown.com\/actions\/install-solar-panels\" target=\"_blank\">switching to solar<\/a>. The simple, concierge-level service can help you save up to $10,000 on installation by comparing competitive bids from vetted local installers, including subscription options for those on a budget.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/energysage-home\" target=\"_blank\">EnergySage<\/a> can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers<br \/>\u2022 Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto&#8217;s $0-down <a href=\"https:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/lightreach-home\" target=\"_blank\">LightReach<\/a> solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%<br \/>\u2022 TCD&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/solar-explorer\" target=\"_blank\">Solar Explorer<\/a> makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners<\/p>\n<p>If you want to reduce your utility bills further, you could pair your solar panels with an energy-efficient heat pump for home heating and cooling. It might sound like a complicated addition, but TCD&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/hvac-explorer\" target=\"_blank\">Heat Pump Explorer<\/a> can help you get started.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the <a href=\"https:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/palmetto-home-app\" target=\"_blank\">Palmetto Home<\/a> app can make energy-efficient upgrades even more affordable by unlocking $5,000 in rewards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Get TCD&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/newsletter\/?utm_source=reccDeoKhywD8jtna\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletters<\/a> for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices \u2014 and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD&#8217;s exclusive <a href=\"https:\/\/links.thecooldown.com\/rewards-club\" target=\"_blank\">Rewards Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-tcd-cool-stories cool_stories\">\n<div class=\"cool_stories__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-large\">\n<div class=\"cool_stories__head title-underline-shape\">\n<h2 class=\"title\">Cool Picks<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"cool_stories__bar tcd-gradient-viridis-alt\"><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-tcd-cool-divider cool_divider cool_divider__article_end\" data-title=\"Researchers develop powerful new technology that could transform space missions: 'We're just starting to see some of the results'\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/green-tech\/ascent-solar-technologies-space-missions\/\">\n<div class=\"container-large cool_divider__wrap\"> <span class=\"cool_divider__stroke\"><\/span> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg?w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" width=\"36\" height=\"24\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg\" alt=\"Cool Divider\" loading=\"lazy\"> <span class=\"cool_divider__stroke\"><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; glass, Ascent&#039;s <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> uses copper indium gallium &#8230; through thermoelectric systems. Space <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> like this is crucial for &#8230; the primary focus, the <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> has promising Earth-based &#8230; lunar exploration mean this <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> could move from testing &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88555\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}