2023-09-11 16:36:00
Could space solar power become a reality soon? That’s the question many scientists and engineers are trying to answer, with ambitious projects that aim to capture sunlight in space and transmit it to Earth. The idea is to harness solar energy that is not blocked by the atmosphere, clouds or night, and that is more intense and constant.
According to researchers, this sustainable (and advanced) modality could provide clean, renewable electricity to remote areas or those lacking infrastructure. Furthermore, it would allow the generation of energy during a 24-hour period, something that does not happen with solar farms that suffer from cloudy weather or the arrival of night.
One of the main challenges in making space solar energy a reality is the cost and complexity of launching and maintaining large structures in space, which would need to be kilometers long to capture a significant amount of energy, as well as the difficulty of maintenance in the event of a technical problems.
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Another challenge is how to transmit this energy to the Earth, without causing interference or damage to the environment or human health. One possibility is to use microwaves or lasers, which would be directed to receiving antennas on the ground. There are several projects underway to test the viability of space solar energy, both by government agencies and private companies.
China, for example, announced in 2020 that it plans to build a space solar power station by 2035. NASA, the United States space agency, has also been studying the concept for decades, and recently awarded a US$500,000 contract for one company called Solaren, which plans to launch a solar energy satellite in 2024.
Countries such as Japan, India and France are also interested in developing research related to this technology for capturing solar energy in space, but there is no launch date yet.
Space solar energy is still a futuristic idea, but it could soon become a reality if the technical and economic challenges are overcome. The technology could bring benefits to sustainable development, energy security and space exploration.
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