Until now India was dependent on the United States for the import of solar cell technology for 180 of its satellites produced since 1975. One of the major parts of satellites is the onboard solar power system called space solar cells as it keeps the satellite alive.
However, Indian Space and Research Organisation might be able to save thousands and crores of money as it has brought mass producing, solar technology cells right to India.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan told The Times Of India, “Till now, we have been procuring space cells from US private companies for producing our satellite. Being a critical technology, imported cells costed us dearly.”
Around 1,500 solar cells are needed for producing small, remote sensing satellites. While 10,000 to 15,000 solar cells are required for bigger satellites like GSAT. All of which are imported from the US. ISRO used around 20,000 solar cells for developing the country’s heaviest satellite– GSAT-11.
Source: indiatimes
