The European Space Agency (ESA) is working on the SOLARIS project, which aims to provide Europe with renewable energy from high-tech satellites in space, in response to the ongoing energy crisis caused by soaring fossil energy costs. ESA space-based solar panels would be capable to absorb and convert sunlight into energy 24 hours a day without being affected by earthly weather conditions. The satellites would wirelessly transmit power back to the planet. This ambitious project could potentially prevent future energy shortages and reduce dependence on costly large-scale energy storage solutions.
The SOLARIS project, approved by the ESA Council in November of the previous year, will enter a phase of studies conducted over the next two and a half years in collaboration with the European industry. The studies will evaluate the feasibility, advantages, risks, and implementation possibilities of the project. The primary focus will be on researching the safe and efficient transmission of solar energy from space to Earth. Various options will be explored, including radiofrequency radiation, lasers, and sunlight reflection using ground-based solar parks.
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) launched the Space Solar Power Demonstrator satellite earlier this year to explore the viability of generating and transmitting solar energy from space to Earth. They recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully transmitting power from space to Earth for the first time ever. This development highlights the growing global interest in space-based energy and the potential for harnessing solar power beyond the Earth's atmosphere.
If everything proceeds as planned, by 2025, Europe will have enough information to determine the feasibility of the SOLARIS project based on the results of the ongoing studies. This decision would then lead to the development of a prototype showcasing the most effective method of transmitting energy from space to Earth. The SOLARIS project aligns with the European Union's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, reflecting their ambition to adopt sustainable and innovative solutions for clean energy.
Source: www.universal-sci.com