Japan is set to make history with its OHISAMA project, a space-based solar power station that will beam power from space to Earth using microwaves. This innovative project aims to harness solar energy in orbit and transmit it back to our planet, potentially paving the way for future orbital solar stations.

Key Features of the OHISAMA Project

- *Small Satellite*: Weighing approximately 400 pounds, the test spacecraft will collect sunlight using a 22-square-foot solar panel and store energy in an onboard battery.

- *Microwave Transmission*: The energy will be transmitted to Earth via microwaves, requiring antennas to be spread out over 25 miles with strategic placement every three miles.

- *Compact Design*: Despite the distance, the transmission will only take a few minutes, but recharging the battery will take several days.

- *Power Output*: The satellite will transmit about 1 kilowatt of power, equivalent to running a small household appliance for an hour.

Benefits and Potential Impact

- *Clean Energy Source*: Space-based solar power could provide a consistent and reliable source of renewable energy.

- *Round-the-Clock Energy*: Unlike ground-based solar panels, space-based solar power can generate energy day and night, regardless of weather conditions.

- *Future Orbital Solar Stations*: This demonstration project could lay the groundwork for larger-scale orbital solar stations, potentially contributing to a decarbonized society.

Challenges and Considerations

- *Technical Feasibility*: Experts have raised concerns about the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of space-based solar power.

- *Strategic Implications*: Some argue that relying on space-based solar power could make countries vulnerable to disruptions or attacks on their energy infrastructure.

- *Environmental Concerns*: Others worry about the potential environmental impact of microwave radiation and the carbon footprint of launching and assembling orbital power stations ¹.

Space solar farm may seem too futuristic to be true, and that is because the project is still in its infancy. The satellite is only projected to transmit about 1 kilowatt of power from an altitude of 250 miles. This translates to having enough energy to run a small household appliance, like a dishwasher, for an hour.

Clearly, this is not sufficient for commercial use, yet the Japanese researchers are hopeful that the test will be a step forward. Still, Japan has been testing this technology for years, and they’ve had good results thus far.