A future where solar panels orbiting Earth guarantee continuous electricity, day and night, anywhere on the planet. This is possible, since, in the coming decades, Chinese scientists plan to erect a colossal structure in space, an initiative that’s already being called one of the greatest energy leaps since the invention of nuclear power. What’s at stake here is not just technological innovation, but also a global race to dominate the next energy era.
From Earth to orbit: can a solar megaship power the planet nonstop?
The first step to understanding this project is to recognize the limitations of current solar energy. On Earth, panels are subject to nighttime, cloud cover, and seasonal changes. This is the key point that attracts scientists from around the world. In fact, estimates show that space-based solar energy capture can be up to ten times more efficient than terrestrial solar energy.
It was precisely in this context that a curious term emerged: megaship. A structure in orbit approximately 1 km wide, the size of Manhattan Island. This “ship” doesn’t travel, but remains stationed 36,000 km from Earth, in what’s known as geostationary orbit, where it follows the planet’s rotation. From there, it would capture solar energy and send it back in the form of microwaves to receiving stations.
“As significant as moving the Three Gorges Dam to a geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the Earth.” Long Lehao, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
From dams to orbits: can humanity harness the Sun like never before?
This comparison with the Three Gorges Dam is no coincidence. Located on the Yangtze River, it is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world. It’s no wonder it took 17 years to build, cost over US$25 billion, and today generates enough energy to power 5.4 million Chinese homes. By making this parallel, the scientists themselves reinforce the message: if China has already been able to build one of the greatest engineering feats on the planet, why not aim for space now? The difference is that, instead of taming the power of a river, they plan to tame the sun.
This ambition is not isolated. Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Space Agency are also studying so-called space-based solar power (SBSP). The Japanese space agency, for example, has already scheduled the launch of a test satellite to assess the technology. In the UK, recent research has concluded that the levelized cost of space-based solar power could be competitive with traditional sources. The advances that are being made are:
- 360° wireless power transmission successfully tested.
- Development of super-heavy rockets capable of carrying hundreds of tons of panels into orbit.
- Space robotics and in-orbit manufacturing have also become central pieces of the equation, as assembling everything directly in space seems more practical than trying to ship the finished plant (which reminds us that this ‘super solar panel’ is being tested in space).
The new energy race: space power or earthly dependence?
We also have to emphasize that the obstacles remain enormous. Some of the energy could be lost when passing through clouds and moisture in the atmosphere. Transporting the modules would require dozens of rocket launches, each extremely expensive. And safety is another sensitive issue: a poorly calibrated energy beam could pose a risk to anyone near the receiving stations.
While some countries still cling to oil exploration, China seeks to pave the way for an energy matrix that could redefine global geopolitics. Some experts even point out that, while the US is still discussing drilling, China is already planning to capture solar energy directly from space. One looks to the past, the other to the future. This reminds us that China has found a new ally to defeat the US, and it is the world’s uranium heartland.
