Imagine rolling up a solar panel the size of a conference room into something that fits in your backpack. 🎒 That’s exactly what Chinese space tech company GalaxySpace has achieved with its new fully flexible solar array, unveiled this week in Yibin. Dubbed a "game-changer" for satellite design, this innovation tackles a major headache in space tech: bulky solar panels that don’t fit rocket fairings.
💡 Here’s the magic: The solar wing rolls up like a scroll during launch, shrinking to the diameter of a water bottle. Once in orbit, it unfurls to a jaw-dropping 10 meters long and 2 meters wide. CEO Xu Ming says its energy density is four times higher than rigid panels, making it perfect for power-hungry satellite constellations.
🚀 Why does this matter? Smaller, lighter satellites mean more can be launched at once. Plus, extended operational lifespans could boost global internet coverage from space. GalaxySpace isn’t new to breakthroughs—they’ve already launched 25 satellites, including the world’s first high-frequency low-Earth-orbit millimeter-wave satellite.
🤖 Behind the scenes: Their Nantong factory uses robotic arms and AI-driven systems to produce up to 150 satellites annually. Factory head Cheng Ming calls it a "collaboration between humans and machines," blending precision engineering with smart tech.
With direct-to-cell communication tests already connecting Beijing and Thailand earlier this year, GalaxySpace is charging ahead in the global space race. Could this solar wing power the next generation of internet satellites? Stay tuned. 🌐✨
