The concept of harnessing solar power from space and transmitting it to Earth is not a mere sci-fi dream anymore—it’s progressively turning into a tangible reality. Despite complex challenges related to economics and engineering, the last year has seen a surge in activity around space-based solar power (SBSP), shaking up the traditional energy sector and presenting a transformative alternative to fossil fuels.
The Allure of Solar Power from Space
Imagine a world where solar energy isn’t limited by the cycles of day and night or fluctuating weather conditions. That’s the promise of space solar power, a concept that could deliver consistent energy from above the atmosphere. Although it requires a footprint on the ground for the receivers, it offers a potential solution to the land use conflicts associated with Earth-bound solar farms. As such, it opens a new pathway for clean energy—one that might bypass some opposition that new terrestrial solar projects often face.
Space Solar: A New Frontier for Startups
Forward-thinking startups on both sides of the Atlantic are racing to make SBSP a reality. UK-based Space Solar aims to have a demo in orbit by 2027, and across the pond, California’s Reflect Orbital has a vision to sustain solar farms on Earth with extra sunlight after sunset. Leveraging a novel approach, their proposed constellation of 57 satellites would reflect sunlight to extend solar power generation times for terrestrial plants, albeit for an additional 30 minutes each day—a small yet impactful contribution when large solar arrays are considered.
A Path to Scale Space Solar
While Reflect Orbital’s mirror technology could strategically benefit remote or less contentious land for new solar installations, global interest is pivoting to the broader idea of SBSP. Korean researchers underscore the importance of international cooperation and strategic planning to manage space debris as the solar space industry scales up to realize its multi-gigawatt potential. Possible disposal methods include depositing spent solar apparatus on the Moon—a concept that is as daring as it is contentious.
Smaller Steps: The OHISAMA Initiative
In parallel, Japan’s OHISAMA project is preparing to test a diminutive solar satellite designed to beam power down from 250 miles above. Set to launch in 2025, this 1-kilowatt prototype would demonstrate the viability of converting onboard solar energy into microwaves for transmission to Earth—a complex process that could inform the future of space-to-ground power delivery.
Space Solar Power and NASA’s Position
NASA, with its wide experience in space-based solar technologies, acknowledges the potential of SBSP but doesn’t currently prioritize it for substantial R&D investment. Instead, the agency is focusing on other relevant advancements, such as in-space services and manufacturing, which may nonetheless indirectly support the development of SBSP. Furthermore, NASA’s ejection of a new ultra-light solar sail, reliant on photon pressure for propulsion, exemplifies the innovative spirit that could eventually cross paths with the aims of space solar stakeholders.
As the frontier of solar energy expands into space, these advancements not only signify a leap towards a cleaner energy grid but also herald an era of innovative space technologies that may offer unforeseen benefits. The space solar saga continues to unfold, poised to reshape our relationship with energy as we boldly look upwards to the sun.
