Space Stations: The New Frontier

Earlier this month, scientists at Xidian University in China announced a successful test of new technology that would enable a space-based solar power plant to beam energy down to Earth.

☀️🛰🌏 Beam me down, Scotty… The research is part of a state-run initiative to develop satellites that can convert solar energy into microwaves, then beam those energy-infused microwaves down to Earth from an orbit of up to 250 miles.

• By 2028, Beijing plans to launch a satellite capable of beaming 10 kilowatts of power to a ground station.
• The capacity is projected to grow to 1 megawatt by 2030 and 10 megawatts by 2035, eventually resulting in a 2-gigawatt station by 2050 that’s capable of powering a large city.

🧠 In the know: While the idea of beaming solar energy down to Earth from space isn’t new, recent developments in key technical areas – like lightweight solar panels, wireless energy transmission, and space robotics – have made the prospect more achievable.

⚡️ Zoom out: Other governments are also on the power station in space prowl. The UK in March said it’s considering a $21+ billion proposal to build one that could be online by 2035, and NASA is reportedly considering a $100 million experiment to power a remote military base from space as early as 2025.