China on the Verge of Launching a Space based Solar Satellite – Moon Colonization in Sight?
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We have known for quite some time now that the moon is capable of hosting life. In light of the recent discovery of the Earth’s atmosphere reaching far beyond what was previously known, this also increases the chances of hydrogen atoms per cubic meter. This discovery has sparked the interest of the Chinese and they are on the run to develop a prototype for space-based power generation.
This step could greatly benefit the human race since the future holds many problems in terms of power generation. With China having the largest population in the world, it is no wonder they would take this step. Two prototypes are set to launch for 2021 and 2025 with the final version to be launched in 2030. These satellites would have the ability to transmit power on a megawatt scale.
All this seems like a story out of a sci-fi magazine but the potential to harvest sunlight 24/7 is pretty real. The idea was first proposed in the 1960s by Peter Glasser. He theorized that large satellites with solar panels could transmit power over large distance from space. There would be receiving stations at the other end who would convert the power transmitted into electricity.
Since space is endless, there would be no space constraints there and the sun would shine on the panels 24/7. This increases the potential of solar panels by 100%. The panels would also be able to collect pure UV rays that are not filtered through the Earth’s surface increasing the amount generated. All of this sounds amazing but there are also a set of hurdles that need to be carefully calculated.
The first hurdle is how to launch a satellite that big into space. Each panel for the satellite would have to be the size of a football field. The solution to this was that the satellite would have to be assembled in space. This again presents a problem of how many years it might take and how many trips it would take to assemble the satellite. The example of the International Space Station is pretty evident as it took 10 years to build. Now imagine the satellite being 4 times bigger.
The Chinese are well concerned about the pollution crisis and this is their step forward to create clean energy. The satellites would beam down thousands of megawatts of energy that can help control climate change and reduce CO2 emissions. The US is carefully keeping tabs on the progress. Keeping up with the Chinese is most important to the US as of now, but we should also think about the future. A space-based solar power system could much likely beat the US in the race for supreme power over as a super power in the world.
At the end of the day, let’s hope it’s about saving the planet and not about competing in a race for power.