Perovskite Solar Cells: In-Orbit Assessment

The increasing demand for long-duration and cost-efficient small satellite missions is driving the need for power technologies beyond conventional silicon photovoltaics. Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) offer high specific power and mechanical flexibility. Notably, recent terrestrial studies on PSCs have demonstrated promising self-healing properties under controlled bias. However, their behaviour under space conditions remains largely unverified. This paper presents a dedicated in-orbit experimental concept focused on the electrical characterisation of PSCs using a purpose-designed Data Acquisition System (DAQ) tailored for CubeSat integration. The experiment is implemented as part of the 1U CubeSat HEALIOS mission, which is currently under design. The proposed mission architecture treats PSCs as an experimental payload electrically decoupled from the satellite power bus. During orbital illumination phases, the payload is operated in nominal photovoltaic mode and characterised as a potential spacecraft power source through Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and current–voltage measurements. During orbital eclipse phases, the experiment transitions to controlled reverse-bias operation to activate and assess self-healing mechanisms within the perovskite material. The developed DAQ autonomously manages the operational modes, enabling direct comparison between PSCs operated in nominal and recovery modes, while simultaneously benchmarking performance against reference silicon cells under identical constraints. This capability is achieved by integrating low-noise power conditioning, independent electronic loading for each solar cell, and synchronised environmental sensing within the DAQ. The mission aims to quantify the in-orbit degradation of PSCs through continuous monitoring of key electrical parameters and evaluation of electrically induced self-healing. Parallel operation with conventional silicon cells under identical orbital conditions enables assessment of relative degradation rates. In-orbit results are compared with terrestrial studies to validate perovskite performance trends. The results aim to provide actionable data to support informed adoption of next-generation power technologies within the SmallSat community and future technology demonstration missions.