Citizens for Space Based Solar Power

Tag: science

  • Space-Based Solar Power and Orbital Data Centers: Emerging Solutions for AI Energy Demand

    Space-Based Solar Power and Orbital Data Centers: Emerging Solutions for AI Energy Demand

    This post was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

    Executive Summary

    AI-driven electricity demand is accelerating interest in space-based solar power, with companies pursuing two models: deploying data centers in orbit or beaming continuous solar energy to terrestrial facilities. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Starcloud have proposed massive satellite constellations for orbital computing, while Overview Energy and Meta are pursuing a ground-based approach targeting up to 1 GW of power through an initial 2028 demonstration and commercial service by 2030. The terrestrial model avoids major challenges associated with orbital data centers, including launch costs, maintenance, thermal management, communications latency, satellite congestion, and space-environment risks. However, all approaches remain technologically, economically, and regulatorily unproven, and the shift toward space power contrasts with the continued use of natural-gas generation for some current AI infrastructure.

    Key Findings

    • AI’s binding constraint is shifting from chips and capital to electricity. Hyperscalers are committing hundreds of billions to infrastructure, while grid interconnection queues, transmission limits, and local opposition delay new data-center capacity.
    • Space-based solar is being positioned as a 24/7 power source. Proposed systems collect near-continuous sunlight in orbit and beam energy to Earth, potentially extending terrestrial solar output overnight and improving utilization of existing sites.
    • The leading commercial concept keeps compute on Earth. Overview Energy argues that putting only the relatively durable power-collection equipment in orbit avoids the maintenance, thermal, radiation, latency, and hardware-replacement challenges of orbital data centers.
    • Meta has reserved access to up to 1 GW from Overview, targeting an in-space demonstration in 2028 and commercial delivery as early as 2030. The agreement is an early capacity commitment, not evidence that the system is commercially proven.
    • Orbital data-center proposals imply unprecedented deployment scales. SpaceX has discussed up to 1 million satellites, Blue Origin up to 51,600, and Starcloud 88,000—far beyond today’s active satellite population.
    • The economics of moving compute to orbit remain highly uncertain. Launch costs, space-hardened chips, thermal management, maintenance, power transmission losses, and uncertain AI-workload distribution could outweigh the benefits of continuous sunlight; satellite power already costs far more than terrestrial data-center power.
    • The proposals create major regulatory and environmental constraints. FCC approval, orbital congestion, collision risk, atmospheric impacts from reentry, light pollution, spectrum coordination, and potential control of scarce orbital capacity are already driving opposition among competitors, astronomers, and environmental groups.
    • The near-term contradiction is continued fossil-fuel dependence. xAI is using and expanding natural-gas generation while Tesla’s broader electrification vision remains incomplete, suggesting space solar may function more as a speculative long-term solution than an immediate substitute for terrestrial clean-energy deployment.

    Analysis

    The articles reflect a common response to AI’s rapidly growing electricity demand: use space to expand power supply rather than moving compute itself into orbit. Orbital data centers could access near-continuous sunlight, but face severe technical constraints, including launch and deployment at unprecedented scale, radiation shielding, thermal management, communications latency and bandwidth, in-orbit servicing, debris, atmospheric reentry, and uncertain workloads. Constellations of tens of thousands to one million satellites would also create major regulatory, astronomical, and orbital-coexistence challenges.

    Beaming space-generated power to existing terrestrial facilities appears more technically practical than placing servers in space, because it preserves established data-center, grid, and maintenance infrastructure. However, Overview Energy’s proposed 2028 demonstration and 2030 commercial service remain unproven milestones: end-to-end conversion efficiency, beam safety, receiver costs, spectrum and regulatory approval, weather impacts, and delivered-cost competitiveness will determine viability. The Meta agreement is therefore better understood as a capacity reservation and strategic option than evidence of commercial readiness.

    Economically, the attraction is speed to power, reduced dependence on land and transmission expansion, and potentially firm clean electricity for hyperscalers facing interconnection delays and public opposition. Yet terrestrial solar, storage, nuclear, geothermal, and expanded transmission currently benefit from mature supply chains and lower deployment risk. Space solar may become valuable as a supplemental, geographically flexible source, but replacing conventional generation—or justifying orbital compute—would require substantial cost reductions, manufacturing scale, and reliable multi-decade operations that remain uncertain.

    Implications & Outlook

    The reported Meta–Overview agreement suggests that SBSP is moving from concept toward commercial validation, with terrestrial power beaming potentially offering a less complex alternative to placing data centers in orbit. Planned demonstrations in 2028 and commercial service by 2030 could accelerate advances in wireless power transmission, space-qualified solar systems, and grid integration. However, competing orbital data-center proposals involving tens of thousands to one million satellites highlight significant concerns over launch capacity, orbital congestion, debris, spectrum, astronomy, and regulation. SBSP development will therefore depend not only on achieving competitive costs and reliable power delivery, but also on establishing coordinated governance and sustainable orbital-infrastructure practices.

    References

  • Live Event: Space Based Solar Power

    Live Event: Space Based Solar Power

    On August 14, 2025, I joined a SpaceNews live webinar on space-based solar power (SBSP). This panel discussion brought together some of the most experienced voices in the SBSP field.

    Over the course of an hour, the panel made a compelling case that SBSP, once the stuff of science fiction, is now within reach, thanks to dramatic drops in launch costs, advances in mass production, and maturing in-space assembly capabilities. They explored different technical pathways, financing and regulatory hurdles, and the enormous humanitarian and economic potential of delivering clean, 24/7 energy from space to anywhere on Earth.

    I believe the moment for space-based solar power has truly arrived. With bold action from all of us, we can help light the way to a cleaner, more resilient planet. – Rob Mahan

    You can watch the entire event here. I have summarized the panelist’s main points below.

    Event Summary

    SpaceNews hosted a live webinar on August 14, 2025, moderated by Jason Rainbow, featuring four prominent voices in the space-based solar power (SBSP) field:

    • John Mankins – Mankins Space Technology, SPS-Alpha inventor
    • Martin Soltau – Space Solar (UK)
    • Colby Carrier – Aetherflux
    • Karen Jones – The Aerospace Corporation

    The discussion highlighted why SBSP is closer to reality than ever: dramatic launch cost reductions, advances in mass production, and maturing in-space assembly. The panelists explored competing architectures (microwave vs. laser), early market opportunities, financing challenges, safety/regulatory issues, and the transformative global potential of 24/7 clean power from space.

    Main Points by Panelist

    John Mankins

    • Why Now: Reusable rockets have dropped launch costs from ~$20,000/kg to potentially under $100/kg; mass production of space hardware is now <$1,000/kg.
    • SPS-Alpha Concept: Hyper-modular geostationary platform made of over 1 million small modules; uses proven solar, reflector, and microwave transmission technology. No new physics is required.
    • Regulatory Notes: Microwaves need spectrum allocation via ITU; lasers pose eye safety and siting concerns.
    • Humanitarian Potential: One satellite can beam power to wealthy regions, and within seconds, be switched to beaming power to developing regions, providing disaster relief and energy equity.

    Martin Soltau

    • Economics & Orbits: High-orbit systems offer highest utilization for grid-scale power but require billions in early investment; financing roadmap is as critical as technology.
    • Global Need: Energy demand may quadruple in 25 years; weather-dependent renewables face mineral, cost, and land limitations. SBSP offers low carbon footprint, high scalability, and affordability.
    • Early Markets: Polar research stations, remote islands, data centers, off-grid industry, and underserved communities.
    • Public Support: Strong once safety and siting are explained; SBSP is seen as vital to reliable, abundant, clean energy.

    Colby Carrier

    • Aetherflux Strategy: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) laser-based constellation targeting military needs for dispersed, resilient, mobile power.
    • Laser Advantages: Small, precise beams for portable receivers; harder for adversaries to target; suits rapidly redeployed ground forces.
    • Iteration Speed: Lower launch costs enable quick technology refinement.
    • Safety Measures: Laser safety officer on Aetherflux staff; beam cutoff systems; early regulator engagement.

    Karen Jones

    • Market Landscape:
      • Solution Providers – Focused on space-to-Earth SBSP (e.g., Aetherflux).
      • Incrementalists – Start with space-to-space power beaming to build capability.
      • Skeptics/Competitors – Advocate other energy tech but may become SBSP partners.
    • Safety & Public Trust: Microwaves at proposed wavelengths are non-ionizing; but public concerns must be addressed head-on, as the cellular phone industry did.
    • Spectrum Constraint: Allocation will shape future architectures.

    Additional Insights

    • Financing is the bottleneck, not the physics. Starship could cut deployment launches from hundreds to a dozen, slashing energy costs by >10x.
    • Resilience: Hyper-modular designs can survive damage; constellations of modules can scatter like schools of fish, complicating attacks.
    • Dual Use Concerns: RF systems are inherently difficult to weaponize due to low energy density designs; all platforms will be highly visible and open to international inspection.
    • Public Action: Panelists encouraged citizens to press investors, pension funds, and elected officials to support SBSP initiatives.

    Space-based solar power is no longer an abstract concept tucked away in research papers—it’s a tangible solution within our grasp. The technology is ready, the need is urgent, and the benefits are global. What we lack is the unified will to make it happen. If each of us, citizens, innovators, investors, and policymakers, speaks up, demands progress, and supports the pioneers in this field, we can accelerate the shift from vision to reality. The sunlight is already waiting above us, streaming down in abundance. It’s time we reached up, captured it, and shared its power with the world.

  • STP180 – Can Space Based Solar Power Save the Planet

    STP180 – Can Space Based Solar Power Save the Planet

    This recent Space and Things podcast featuring John Mankins is an excellent all-around introduction to space based solar power (SBSP) and its game changing, clean energy potential.

    For those who may not be familiar, John C. Mankins is a former NASA physicist known for his ongoing work on space-based solar power. Along with explaining the fundamental of SBSP in easy-to-understand language, Mankins made a point I would like to highlight.

    • Unlike nuclear power plants, SBSP will be a switchable baseload power source. SBSP will be able to take the place of natural gas and other fossil fuel fired generation now being used to supplement terrestrial solar and wind power when nighttime or weather interrupt their outputs. The combination of space-based and terrestrial solar power will be a 100% clean, baseload power source.

    Mankins also had some astute observations about the most recent NASA report on SBSP, published on January 11, 2024 from the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy.

    • Energy for Earth is not one of NASA’s four current missions
    • The report has a very reasonable charter at the beginning.
    • The analyses contained in the report utilize excellent, rigorous methodologies.
    • The report has some extraordinarily reasonable findings and recommendations at the end.
    • But … the assumptions that went into that model were weird. The assumptions were unreasonably pessimistic, leading to astronomically high predictions of the cost per kWh from SBSP.
    • There is a one-line caveat included in the report that says if all of our assumptions turn out better than we have assumed, the cost of a kWh from SBSP will be about three cents.

    Needless to say, you should read the report for yourself (linked above) and come to your own conclusions about its assumptions, charter, analyses, findings, and recommendations. Keep in mind the fact that energy for Earth is not one of NASA’s four current missions.

  • Space Shuttle Endeavour – Final Flight

    The Space Shuttle Endeavour passes over Redwood City, California, on it’s final flight.

    Today, rather than mourn the final chapter of NASA’s Space Transportation System (STS) program, I choose to look to the future of America’s continuing, global leadership as a spacefaring nation. Whether it be the establishment of a permanent lunar outpost, manned missions to Mars, mining of near earth objects, the establishment of space-based solar power satellites, or all of the above and beyond, the next chapters in America’s exploration of space will definitely inspire many generations of our citizens, both young and old.

    I was under the flight path of the Space Shuttle Endeavour OV-105 this morning, as it passed over Redwood City, California. The Endeavour, atop the specially outfitted 747, had flown over the Golden Gate Bridge and was on its way to a low flyover of Moffett Field, in Mountain View, to honor the employees and their families at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

    The Endeavour was built to replace Challenger, and from 1992 to 2011, flew a total of twenty-five missions. The Endeavour’s final destination is the the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California.

  • Will Fossil Fuels Be A “Bridge to Nowhere”?

    Will Fossil Fuels Be A “Bridge to Nowhere”? – photo by Kecko CC BY 2.0 on Flickr

    Every form of energy we have can eventually be traced back to the Sun. Space based solar power solves the on/off problem of terrestrial solar power, and could be delivered nearly anywhere on the planet 24/7/365. These characteristics make space based solar power a virtually unlimited, clean baseload power source.

    Currently, payload launch-to-orbit costs are the single biggest hurdle to developing and deploying space based solar power. While it would be a massive and complex engineering project, no basic science breakthroughs are needed before space based solar power could be implemented.

    Space based solar power is not a short-term solution to our energy needs. Domestic fossil fuel resources would provide a “bridge” to its eventual implementation … but fossil fuel will be a “bridge to nowhere”, unless we start developing space based solar power very soon.

    Rob Mahan
    Citizens for Space Based Solar Power*

    *I’m a purely self-appointed advocate, and I have no financial stake in space based solar power. I simply believe that it will eventually be the solution to our energy future.