Rocket Lab launches germanium-free solar cell for space missions
Rocket Lab has unveiled a new germanium-free solar cell designed to insulate space missions from the price volatility and supply risks tied to Chinese export bans on the critical material.
Germanium prices have jumped from $3,150 per kilogram in January 2025 to more than $5,000 by October 2025, after China, which supplied about 41% of US germanium imports in 2024, imposed restrictive export bans between 2023 and 2025.
By removing the germanium substrate while maintaining high performance, the new cell aims to lower the cost and weight of space-grade solar components and reduce the risk of mission delays or budget overruns.
The move fits a wider industry shift away from materials exposed to geopolitical leverage, and could bring down the price tag of satellite deployments and future deep-space exploration.
