Articles tagged with "space-solar-power"
Space solar farms' laser beams could fry satellites in orbit: Study
The article discusses the emerging race between the US and China to develop space-based solar power systems that use laser beams to transmit electricity from orbit to Earth continuously. While this technology promises uninterrupted renewable energy, a new study from the Beijing Institute of Satellite Environment Engineering highlights significant risks posed by the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit (LEO). Specifically, powerful laser beams intended for energy transmission could accidentally damage nearby satellites due to tracking errors or system malfunctions, potentially causing electrical discharges that harm satellite electronics or trigger emergency shutdowns. The study, published in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams, offers guidance on selecting safer laser parameters and designing protective measures for satellites’ solar arrays to mitigate these risks. The article notes that while many space solar power concepts target geosynchronous orbit (GEO), the growing number of satellites in orbit raises the likelihood of laser interference. The research team conducted lab simulations firing ultra-short laser pulses at solar panel samples, observing brief electrical discharges that illustrate the potential for damage
energyspace-solar-powerlaser-transmissionsatellite-safetyrenewable-energyorbital-congestionspace-technologyUS Innovators Are Front And Center In The Space Solar Race
The article highlights the growing momentum of US innovators in the emerging space solar power industry, despite political headwinds such as former President Trump’s opposition to solar energy. Space solar power involves collecting solar energy via satellites in orbit and beaming it wirelessly to Earth, enabling continuous, weather- and season-independent energy supply. A key player, Overview Energy, recently emerged from stealth mode with $20 million in funding from prominent investors, signaling strong private sector confidence in the commercial viability of space-based solar power. NASA also supports related research, particularly for space-to-space applications with potential Earth benefits. Overview Energy’s approach focuses on leveraging existing terrestrial solar power plants as receivers, avoiding new land use or construction delays. Their system aims to function as an orbiting peaker plant, supplying electricity during peak demand hours and reducing reliance on gas power plants. This model promises lower electricity costs for consumers and rapid deployment for large energy users like data centers. Unlike other concepts relying on microwave beaming or orbiting mirrors, Overview
energysolar-energyspace-solar-powerrenewable-energysatellite-technologyclean-energyphotovoltaicsBezos vs Musk: Space race heats up with new orbital data center push
The article highlights the escalating competition between Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX as they pursue the development of orbital data centers to address the surging energy demands driven by the generative AI boom. AI systems require massive power, and data centers on Earth face challenges such as high energy consumption and cooling costs. Placing data centers in Earth's orbit offers potential solutions by leveraging space’s cold temperatures for efficient cooling and continuous solar energy, potentially reducing environmental impact and operational costs. This concept has attracted major players, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s acquisition of Relativity Space, SpaceX’s plan to expand Starlink satellites for space-based data centers, and now Blue Origin’s secretive work on similar technology. Jeff Bezos envisions gigawatt-scale orbital data centers within 10 to 20 years, emphasizing the advantages of uninterrupted solar power and the absence of weather-related disruptions in space. This aligns with his broader goal of relocating significant portions of Earth’s industry off-world. Additionally, space solar
energydata-centersorbital-technologyspace-solar-powerAI-energy-consumptionBlue-OriginSpaceXTrump Or Not, Space Solar Power Is Happening
The article discusses the emerging development of space-based solar power as a response to terrestrial challenges, particularly under the Trump administration's restrictive policies on solar energy. Despite President Trump's efforts to limit solar power accessibility on Earth—such as halting permits for solar projects on federal lands—entrepreneurs like the California startup Aetherflux are innovating by harvesting solar energy directly from space. Founded by Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robin Hood, Aetherflux aims to launch its first commercial space solar power system in early 2027, with plans to expand into a constellation of nodes. This system, called "Galactic Brain," intends to provide continuous, weather-independent solar energy and also support space-based data centers, bypassing the lengthy terrestrial infrastructure development timelines. The article highlights the broader context of the U.S. solar industry’s struggles under restrictive federal policies, noting that 143 solar companies have collectively urged Congress to revise permitting processes that currently hinder solar project development. Bhatt emphasizes that the race for artificial
energysolar-powerspace-solar-powerwireless-energy-transmissiondata-centersclean-energyspace-technologySending Solar Panels to Space
The article "Sending Solar Panels to Space" discusses the concept of deploying solar panels in space as a means to generate clean energy more efficiently. Unlike Earth-based solar panels, which are limited by atmospheric interference and weather conditions, space-based solar panels could capture uninterrupted sunlight, potentially providing a more consistent and powerful energy source. The idea suggests that by placing solar panels in orbit, we could overcome the limitations posed by the Earth's atmosphere and weather variability, leading to a significant advancement in clean energy technology. However, the article does not provide detailed information on the technical challenges, costs, or current progress related to this concept, leaving some aspects unclear.
energysolar-panelsspace-technologyclean-energyrenewable-energyspace-solar-powerenergy-innovationThe Data Center Boom Is Fueling The Space Solar Race
The article discusses the emerging intersection of space-based solar power and the growing demand for energy by orbiting data centers, driven largely by the AI boom. Space solar power, once a futuristic concept, is gaining traction as a viable energy source due to its ability to provide continuous, high-capacity solar energy without the limitations faced on Earth such as day/night cycles, weather, and permitting delays. The Washington-based startup Lumen Orbit (now rebranded as Starcloud) highlights that solar arrays in space can achieve over 95% capacity factor and generate more than five times the energy compared to terrestrial solar farms, thanks to the absence of atmospheric interference and constant sun exposure. Starcloud, backed by NVIDIA through its Inception program, aims to leverage these advantages to power data centers in orbit, offering significant sustainability benefits including a tenfold reduction in carbon emissions over the data center’s lifetime and eliminating the need for water-based cooling and energy storage systems. The company plans to launch its first satellite, Starcloud
energysolar-energyspace-solar-powerdata-centersrenewable-energyspace-technologyclean-energyNASA's Space Solar Program Focuses On Cutting Costs
The article discusses recent developments and challenges in NASA’s space solar power efforts, particularly focusing on cost reduction and technological advancement. While space-based solar power—beaming solar energy from orbit to Earth for continuous, weather-independent clean energy—has gained interest globally, including from private investors and countries like China, NASA itself remains cautious. In April 2024, NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) indicated that space-to-Earth solar power transmission does not currently meet the agency’s investment criteria. However, NASA is actively advancing related distributed space solar power technologies, especially space-to-space power beaming systems, which could eventually inform space-to-Earth applications. Significant progress is being made through partnerships with private companies such as Ascent Solar Technologies, which in mid-2024 entered a collaborative agreement with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center to develop commercial products for distributed space power infrastructure. Ascent’s technology, including commercial-off-the-shelf CIGS solar cells, has demonstrated
energysolar-energyspace-solar-powerNASAclean-energydistributed-power-systemsspace-technologyFrom Robinhood to Aetherflux: Baiju Bhatt’s next frontier at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, will feature a notable fireside chat with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and current founder and CEO of Aetherflux, a U.S. aerospace company focused on delivering energy to Earth via space-based solar power. Bhatt will share insights from his journey transforming the fintech industry with Robinhood—where he helped democratize investing for over 20 million users—and discuss his transition into the challenging deep tech and aerospace sector with Aetherflux. The session will explore the complexities of scaling businesses in regulated and frontier markets, as well as the intersection of innovation, engineering, and entrepreneurship across vastly different industries. Attendees will gain valuable lessons on navigating regulatory hurdles, driving innovation under pressure, and applying founder experience from fintech to aerospace ventures. Bhatt’s perspective highlights how deep tech companies like Aetherflux can reshape entire industries and generate global impact. TechCrunch Disrupt 202
energyspace-solar-powerclean-energyaerospacedeep-techstartup-innovationenergy-technologyNASA Holds The Key To Global Space Solar Race
The article discusses the emerging field of space-based solar power, which has the potential to provide continuous, 24/7 baseload energy by beaming solar power collected in space down to Earth. This technology is gaining traction globally, with significant interest and government support from Europe, China, and Japan. In the U.S., while the Department of Energy and NASA have been involved in related research—such as perovskite solar cells and wireless power beaming—federal efforts remain fragmented and face uncertainty due to political distractions and shifting priorities at the White House. Historically, the U.S. was a leader in space solar research, notably boosted by a $12.5 million donation to CalTech in 2011 and ongoing DOE support. However, current political and funding challenges threaten continued progress. A recent study from King’s College London highlights space solar’s potential to reduce Europe’s reliance on terrestrial renewables by 80% by 2050, but it emphasizes that two key NASA technologies
energyspace-solar-powerNASArenewable-energywireless-power-beamingDepartment-of-Energysolar-technology