The development of manufacturing processes to obtain ultra-thin cells (20-80 microns) is of paramount importance to achieve a significant mass reduction without reducing the fabrication yield. In order to achieve this goal, it is required the interaction of two different technological processes: epitaxial lift-off and layer transfer. The epitaxial lift-off consists in the separation of the active layers (those responsible for the operation of the solar cell) from the substrate, in a way that the latter can be reused.

Spasolab was created in 1984, at INTA (E) premises, as an ESA external laboratory dedicated to Solar Cell and Panels Testing. The laboratory aimed at supporting ESA programmes and activities at different maturity levels, ranging from the development to the production phases, throughout the design and qualification ones.A list of Spasolab solar cell test laboratory capabilities is provided in the following:? Complete characterisation of space of Space Silicon and Gallium Arsenide solar cells (Type approval tests).?