{"id":10648,"date":"2022-03-21T15:57:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T15:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1382926"},"modified":"2022-03-21T15:57:17","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T15:57:17","slug":"the-uk-reportedly-wants-to-build-a-massive-solar-station-in-space-how-would-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=10648","title":{"rendered":"The UK reportedly wants to build a massive solar station in space \u2014 how would it work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UK government is reportedly considering<\/a> a \u00a316 billion proposal to build a solar power station in space<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Yes, you read that right. Space-based solar power is one of the technologies to feature in the government\u2019s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio<\/a>. It has been identified as a potential solution, alongside others, to enable the UK to achieve net-zero by 2050.<\/p>\n

But how would a solar power station in space work? What are the advantages and drawbacks to this technology?<\/p>\n

Space-based solar power<\/a> involves collecting solar energy in space and transferring it to Earth. While the idea itself is not new, recent technological advances have made this prospect more achievable.<\/p>\n

The space-based solar power system involves a solar power satellite \u2013 an enormous spacecraft equipped with solar panels. These panels generate electricity, which is then wirelessly transmitted to Earth through high-frequency radio waves. A ground antenna, called a rectenna, is used to convert the radio waves into electricity, which is then delivered to the power grid.<\/p>\n

A space-based solar power station in orbit is illuminated by the Sun 24 hours a day and could therefore generate electricity continuously. This represents an advantage over terrestrial solar power systems (systems on Earth), which can produce electricity only during the day and depend on the weather.<\/p>\n

With global energy demand projected to increase by nearly 50%<\/a> by 2050, space-based solar power could be key to helping meet the growing demand on the world\u2019s energy sector and tackling global temperature rise.<\/p>\n

Some challenges<\/h2>\n

A space-based solar power station is based on a modular design, where a large number of solar modules are assembled by robots in orbit. Transporting all these elements into space is difficult, costly, and will take a toll on the environment.<\/p>\n

The weight of solar panels<\/a> was identified as an early challenge. But this has been addressed through the development of ultra-light solar cells<\/a> (a solar panel comprises smaller solar cells).<\/p>\n

Space-based solar power is deemed to be technically feasible primarily because of advances in key technologies, including lightweight solar cells, wireless power transmission and space robotics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Importantly, assembling even just one space-based solar power station will require many space shuttle launches. Although space-based solar power is designed to reduce carbon emissions in the long run, there are significant emissions associated with space launches, as well as costs.<\/p>\n

Space shuttles are not currently reusable, though companies like Space X<\/a> are working on changing this. Being able to reuse launch systems would significantly reduce the overall cost of space-based solar power.<\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/a>Solar power systems on Earth can only produce energy during the daytime.<\/figcaption>