Perovskite in Orbit: Reviewing Radiation Hardness and Degradation Pathways for Next-Generation Solar Arrays on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer appreciably ultra-high specific power, low mass, and low-cost fabrication, making them very attractive for next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. However, in spite of all these advantages the space environment still poses unique challenges ranging from proton and electron radiation, atomic oxygen, UV, to thermal cycling that rapidly degrade organic and inorganic halide perovskites. This review systematically examines radiation hardness, degradation pathways, and mitigation strategies for PSCs in Low Earth Orbit. A group of 54 studies were analyzed from 2018-2025 covering ground testing, suborbital flights, and theoretical modeling. Results show that Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit initial radiation tolerance superior to some Compound Semiconductor Solar Cells (III-V) cells, but admittedly suffer from ion migration, phase segregation, and encapsulation failure under prolonged exposure. Degradation is driven by a coupled mechanism of radiation-induced defects and environmental stressors. We therefore propose a three-pathway framework: 1. Compositional engineering for defect tolerance, 2. Advanced encapsulation and radiation shielding, and 3. In-orbit monitoring and self-healing. Prospective research must prioritize standardized space qualification, long-duration LEO testing, and tandem PSC/III-V architectures to reach TRL 6+.