CESI Lands Major Contract to Fuel Satellites with Solar Cells

MILAN, ITALY - Italian company CESI announced securing a significant contract valued at over one hundred million euros for a period of five years. The contract involves supplying hundreds of thousands of solar cells sufficient to equip eight satellites each month, aimed at providing global internet coverage including the poles.

The solar cells, designed to operate in harsh space conditions, will be fitted into American space satellites. The technology boasts of using materials such as gallium arsenide and indium gallium phosphide, designed by CESI in Milan. These materials surpass common terrestrial silicon solar cells in durability against extreme space environments.

CEO Domenico Villani highlighted the pace-setting technology and its implications for global connectivity and technological autonomy. CESI stands out as one of four global manufacturers capable of producing space solar cells, maintaining complete European control over its innovations.

The incorporation of technologies like the Integral Assembly has revolutionized the production process, focusing on reducing satellite launch costs by eliminating the need for protective glass and decreasing weight.