The space-qualified solar panel flight model developed for IMECE Satellite by TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute Photovoltaic Technologies Center has successfully passed ground-level acceptance tests in compliance with international standards and has been delivered.
In 2015, with the support of the Turkish Republic Presidency of Strategy and Budget and under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries, it was aimed to develop space-qualified solar panels within TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute Photovoltaic Technologies Center to be used in next-generation satellite projects; and design, production and test infrastructures at international standards were established in line with this target. Owing to the infrastructure and know-how gained, it was made possible to manufacture space-qualified solar panels for the first time in Turkey with national capabilities at international standards, to pass ground-level acceptance tests and to complete the delivery.
The space-qualified solar panel will take place as the base load in the earth observation satellite IMECE to be launched in 2022.
With the acquired infrastructure and qualified human resources, TÜBİTAK MAM ME has gained the ability to produce high value-added, strategic and competitive space-qualified solar panels that can meet the needs of all satellites. In line with the objectives of reducing Turkey's dependence on imports, getting rid of the trade restrictions applied to imported products in particular for military and intelligence applications, and increasing the share of production and export in the relevant field, we keep spending effort for establishing collaborations with all stakeholders in order to take part in next generation satellite projects.
