Israeli-Developed Solar Generator Prototype To Head to Space with NASA

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A tiny prototype of a solar generator developed at Ben Gurion University of the Negev will be heading to the International Space Station (ISS) with NASA, the university announced Monday.

The device, which is about the size of a US 25-cent coin and only 1.7 millimeters thick, is meant to improve the power-to-weight ratio of private and commercial spacecraft – ultimately making space travel more affordable.

It was developed by Jeffrey Gordon of the solar energy and environmental physics department at BGU.

Researchers say they will be able to examine the solar generator’s resistance to cosmic radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations once it is in the space environment.