Full Device Evaluation of Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells in Low Earth Orbit Aboard the International Space Station

Journal Article · Thu Nov 06 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Small

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202508232· OSTI ID:3014876

Erickson, Samuel ^[1]; Arteaga, Jorge ^[1]; VanSant, Kaitlyn ^[2]; Kirmani, Ahmad ^[3]; Harvey, Steven ^[2]; Luther, Joseph ^[2]; Peshek, Timothy ^[4]; McMillon-Brown, Lyndsey ^[4]; Ghosh, Sayantani ^[1]

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1. University of California, Merced
2. National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)
3. Rochester Institute of Technology
4. NASA Glenn Research Center

This study investigates how sustained low Earth orbit (LEO) exposure affects metal halide perovskite (MHP) thin films and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It examines samples deployed on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) 15 and 16 missions. Five methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) thin films are deployed on MISSE-16, each with distinct UV filters to selectively attenuate AM0 spectral bands. While post-flight optical analysis reveals that the least UV-exposed film exhibits the highest emission and lowest non-radiative recombination rate, no clear correlation is observed among the rest, and all MAPI films maintained excellent integrity throughout the mission. MISSE-15 deployed eight PSCs with diverse structures, MHP compositions, and contact materials. Post-flight analysis reveals stable, highly emissive MHPs, but damaged contacts due to ion migration, which caused loss of electrical response. The MISSE missions demonstrate MHPs' suitability for space applications, while highlighting the need for improved interfacial layers and contact materials to enhance charge carrier mobility, prevent ion migration, and improve charge carrier extraction efficiency.

• Research Organization: National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 3014876
• Report Number(s): NLR/JA-5900-94754
• Journal Information: Small, Journal Name: Small Journal Issue: 48 Vol. 21
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
AM0
ion migration
low Earth orbit
perovskite solar cell
recombination