How NASA uses solar power

NASA uses the Sun’s energy to power spacecraft and continue exploring space. The Sun provides a lot of energy, and humans have used its heat and light for many years. Turning sunlight into electricity, called solar power, started less than 200 years ago.

NASA began using solar power in the 1950s. The energy from the Sun helps NASA’s spacecraft travel and collect data. NASA also works to make solar panels better by testing new ideas. Solar panels are made of materials like silicon, which helps create electricity from sunlight. These panels are used on spacecraft like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Juno spacecraft near Jupiter.

NASA is improving solar power with materials called perovskites. Adding perovskites to solar panels makes them more efficient. They capture more light, increasing the power they create.

NASA also develops flexible solar panels, which can be rolled up and fit into small spaces on rockets. These roll-out solar arrays (ROSAs) are lighter and easier to use. NASA has used them on missions like DART and plans to use them on the Gateway station for future Moon missions. Solar power is important for NASA’s work in space and helps with scientific discoveries.