Popular Science on Space Solar Power Station

What is space solar power station (SSPs)?

This special issue is dedicated to the field of Space Solar Power Station (SSPS). Proposed by the American scientist Peter Glaser, SSPS is a grand idea to build an extra-large solar power station on the Earth orbit and to transmit electricity to the surface ground wirelessly, such as through microwaves.

Could a solar power station be made from the Moon?

The butterfly-inspired Greater Earth Lunar Power Station could be made with materials found on the moon. An orbiting solar power station above the moon could one day be feasible. European Space Agency Harvesting solar power here on Earth is limited to a location’s daylight hours—a restriction that doesn’t exist while in space.

Could a space solar power station solve the energy crisis?

The concept of a space solar power station (SSPS) was proposed in 1968 as a potential approach for solving the energy crisis. In the past 50 years, several structural concepts have been proposed, but none have been sent into orbit.

Could a solar power satellite replace a nuclear power station?

A solar power satellite big enough to replace a typical nuclear or coal-powered station will need to be kilometers across, demanding hundreds of launches. “It would require a large-scale construction site in orbit,” says ESA space scientist Sanjay Vijendran. Private space company SpaceX has made the notion seem less outlandish.

What is space-based solar power?

The idea of space-based solar power dates back to as early as 1923 when Russian theorist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky proposed using mirrors in space to concentrate a strong beam of sunlight down to Earth.

Are solar power stations a science fiction idea?

It’s an idea that has captured the imagination of writers and futurists for decades—the first published mention of the concept likely came in a 1941 short story by I, Robot writer Issac Asimov. But even as communication satellites, moon landings, and probes to Mars became reality, solar power stations remained in the realm of science fiction.