Ascent Solar Panels Show Zero Power Loss After Six-Month LEO Atomic Oxygen Test
ASTI•Ascent Solar's space-grade thin-film photovoltaic modules recorded zero power degradation after six-month equivalent atomic oxygen exposure in LEO testing, using a 1 mil FEP film barrier. The company plans extended duration AO testing to support its lightweight, flexible panels for expanding commercial orbital infrastructure.
1. Test Campaign and Methodology
Ascent Solar conducted multiple rounds of atomic oxygen exposure testing replicating six months of LEO conditions at 400 km altitude. Space-grade modules featuring a 1 mil FEP film encapsulant showed zero loss of output power under the highly reactive AO environment.
2. Resilience and Design Advantages
Atomic oxygen in LEO typically erodes polymer encapsulants and oxidizes interconnects, causing up to 10% power loss over years. Ascent’s lightweight, flexible thin-film panels demonstrated superior durability compared with traditional silicon and GaAs technologies, reinforcing their appeal for long-duration missions.
3. Next Steps and Market Implications
The company will initiate advanced AO simulations for longer mission durations to validate long-term performance. Demonstrated resilience could position Ascent Solar to capture increased demand for rollable orbital power systems as commercial satellite deployments accelerate.
