China to Build Massive Space Solar Array

China is spearheading a groundbreaking project to build a massive 1-kilometer-wide solar power station in space, capable of generating more energy in a year than all the oil reserves on Earth. Utilizing advanced reusable rockets, this initiative aims to overcome terrestrial solar limitations and positions China at the forefront of space-based renewable energy innovation.

Overview

• Project: Build a 1-kilometer-wide solar power station in space to beam energy back to Earth via microwaves.
• Launch Plan: Components will be sent to geostationary orbit (36,000 km above Earth) using heavy-lift rockets.

Scale and Significance

• Compared to the Three Gorges Dam:
  • Equivalent in significance to moving the dam to geostationary orbit.
  • The Three Gorges Dam generates 100 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
• Energy collection potential: Equivalent to the total oil extractable from Earth in a year.

Challenges Addressed

• Overcomes solar power limitations on Earth:
  • Intermittent cloud cover.
  • Atmospheric absorption of solar radiation.
• Space-based solar power (SBSP) benefits:
  • Sunlight in space is 10 times more intense than on Earth’s surface.
  • Provides continuous energy collection and transmission.

Key Technologies

• Development of the Long March-9 (CZ-9):
  • Reusable heavy-lift rocket with a lift capacity of 150 tons.
  • Will also support China’s lunar research base plans by 2035.

International Interest

• U.S. companies (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman), the European Space Agency, and Japan’s JAXA are exploring similar SBSP technologies.
• JAXA plans to launch a proof-of-concept satellite this year.

Reference: Live Science