Solar power will be a pillar of 21st century energy policy. Soon, the most important solar farms will not be on our planet, but in orbit around it.
Experts estimate space-based solar power (SBSP) farms could provide more than 10X the power densities of their on-Earth equivalents, giving SBSP the potential to surpass wind and hydro as the most effective means of renewable energy production.
SBSP is not science fiction. Japan’s J-Space Systems expects to test the first SBSP energy transfer in FY2026, and the PRC plans to launch a larger scale 10 kW low Earth orbit transfer test SBSP in 2028 and 1 MW to geostationary orbit by 2030. The U.S. is also pursuing SBSP, but lacks a dedicated national program.
What does the near-term look like for SBSP technology, and how feasible is it for large-scale energy production? Where do the U.S., China, and other nations stand in the race to implement and scale SBSP? What are the safety risks and national security concerns for SBSP, and how should policymakers respond?
This new NSDPI paper explores these questions and more by analyzing the technical and strategic landscape of SBSP technology and policy.
Key Takeaways:
- SBSP is a global pursuit, with several nations having already begun testing or planning to launch their designs. Japanese, American, and Chinese organizations are promising deployment at low Earth orbits within the decade.
- U.S research and development in SBSP are highly diversified, with public and private organizations exploring various transmission types, orbital ranges, and novel architectures. In contrast, China’s SBSP ecosystem is comprised of state-owned organizations working together towards the narrower goal of an industrial scale microwave-based geostationary orbit system.
- Safety concerns about space-to-surface power beaming have largely been resolved, but alternative designs in optical spectrums present under-investigated safety and weaponization concerns. U.S. reliance on imports for critical materials may also result in supply chain chokepoints.