---
title: "Lightweight Solar for a Space-Bound Yacht"
description: "Project IKAROS needed lightweight and durable solar panels to power the instrumentation over a long voyage into space."
type: article
version: 1
version_id: "d4600af0-e571-4bb2-aa06-db71c768c4f7"
generated_at: "2026-05-21T20:06:27.473Z"
language: en
reading_time: "3 min"
word_count: 548
keywords: ["Lightweight Solar for a Space", "Bound Yacht", "Submit Project Requirements"]
url: "https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/case-studies/space-yacht"
---

# Lightweight Solar for a Space-Bound Yacht

> Project IKAROS needed lightweight and durable solar panels to power the instrumentation over a long voyage into space.

## Key Takeaways

- Challenge
- Approach
- Solution
- Engineering Evaluation
- Submit Project Requirements

## Contents

- [Challenge](#challenge)
- [Approach](#approach)
- [Solution](#solution)
- [Engineering Evaluation](#engineering-evaluation)

# Lightweight Solar for Spacecraft

Custom ultra-light solar arrays engineered for deep-space missions where every gram and watt counts.

[](https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/)

-   [Case Studies](https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/case-studies)
-   Space Yacht

## Challenge

Project IKAROS required an ultra-lightweight solar solution to power onboard instruments during deep-space travel. The solar panels had to withstand launch, deployment, and long-duration exposure while maintaining extreme power-to-weight efficiency. Every gram and every watt mattered.

## Approach

PowerFilm collaborated with the mission team to design custom solar panels for direct sail integration. A 25µm substrate and optimized cell configuration minimized weight while delivering the required bus voltage. The result was a high-efficiency design exceeding 1200 W/kg, with reduced wiring mass and robust deployment performance.

## Solution

The custom solar array successfully powered onboard instruments throughout the mission to Venus and beyond. PowerFilm’s lightweight amorphous silicon technology enabled extreme power-to-weight performance in one of the most demanding environments possible.

## Engineering Evaluation

Provide power and integration requirements for review.

Submit Project Requirements

## Submit Project Requirements

Provide power and integration requirements for review.

---

## About This Content

**Source:** [Lightweight Solar for a Space-Bound Yacht](https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/case-studies/space-yacht)

*This content is provided for informational purposes. Please visit the original source for the most up-to-date information.*