Recent technological developments have proven that science fiction is more than just an escape from the present. The speculative imaginings of science fiction writers have led to the creation of a number of innovations in the science and tech industries. This proposed design for capturing and transferring solar energy from space is no exception.
The imaginative origins of solar energy transporting space lasers
In his 1941 short story “Reason”, Isaac Asimov envisions a space station that supplies energy to planets using microwaves. For almost a century since Asimov’s sci-fi short story, scientists have endeavoured to find a way to make such a mode of energy supply possible.
Previous attempts at this feat have thought about using large networks of solar panels in geostationary orbit. These designs transmit the energy harnessed from the sun’s rays to earth through the use of microwaves.
Since sun’s rays are stronger outside of earth’s atmosphere, solar panels in space would produce renewable energy at unprecedented rates. The main issue preventing space-based solar power (SBSP) from becoming real is that the cost of these systems might outweigh their energy outputs.
As such, and despite numerous attempts to actualise Asimov’s story, nothing has come to pass. But billionaire entrepreneur Bhaiju Bhatt’s recent interest in the project might be enough to change all this. This is in contrast to NASA’s surrender to the perceived impossibility of SBSP.
Space lasers and satellite constellations: the future of Asimov’s dream
Bhatt, the CEO and founder of Aetherflux, plans to reconceptualise previous designs. The new design will use a constellation of smaller satellites in low earth orbit rather than the older design that sought to use large clumps of solar satellites in geostationary orbit.
This modular design would be easier to iteratively develop than previous designs. The design will also use infrared lasers to transmit energy to earth as opposed to the microwaves proposed by earlier designs. This design can, according to Bhatt, be made on a relatively small spacecraft.
If this design comes to fruition, it has the potential to meet one-third of the EU’s energy needs. The energy generated will be able to be delivered almost anywhere. This aligns with Aetherflux’s objective of serving areas that experience scarcity and a lack of reliability when it comes to electricity.
Idealism versus reality: how likely is Asimov’s vision to come to pass?
Bhatt’s design, though certainly aspirational, faces its fair share of challenges. According to recent studies by the European Space Agency (ESA), the capital required to create the infrastructure necessary to produce this energy would be immense.
Even so, Bhatt is determined that his design will work better than previous models that require satellites to be placed in geostationary orbit. Instead of placing satellites 36,000 kilometers above earth, Bhatt wants to place satellites 500 kilometers above earth, reducing launching and maintenance costs.
So far, the project has raised around 10 million dollars, but future investments in the project could make it or break it. Adding to this, many are concerned about the effects the proposed high-powered lasers could have on earth’s atmosphere.
The light pollution alone, it is believed, would be astronomical. It is important to weigh up the benefit to the renewable industry against the potential immediate environmental impact of the project. It is clear that a holistic approach to environmentalism is needed.
So, does the future of solar power include space lasers?
It is difficult to say with any certainty what the future will look like for SBSP. It is clear that the project faces numerous challenges. But what is also clear is the determination to make Asimov’s almost 100-year-old ideal a reality. This enthusiasm is not quite unlike this project that aims to harness cosmic rays for energy.
