A concept image of a future in-orbit demonstrator for space-based solar power. Credit: European Space Agency
Sunlight up in Earth orbit is 10 times more intense than down on Earth’s surface, so the idea is to fly dedicated satellites to capture solar energy, then beam it down to Earth—and potentially the Moon or other planets further into the future.
A new ESA Discovery project is looking into a key part of the space-based solar power process: how to convert a large amount of solar power into a useful form, then transport it down to the ground as efficiently as possible?
The basic concept dates back more…