Japan unveils ongoing space project focused on continuous solar energy transmission to Earth.
In a groundbreaking development, Japan's Japan Space Systems Corporation (JSPACE) has embarked on an ambitious endeavor known as the OHISAMA Project. This initiative, named after the Japanese word for "sun," aims to harness solar energy in space and transmit it back to Earth, potentially transforming the landscape of renewable energy.
The project, supported by the Japanese government, intends to launch a satellite into low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 400 kilometers (250 miles) in 2025. The satellite will be outfitted with 2-square-meter solar panels to gather solar energy, which will then be converted into microwave energy for transmission to Earth.
According to reports, the satellite will initially transmit around 1 kilowatt of power, sufficient to power small household appliances. A receiving station in Suwa, Japan, equipped with 13 antennas, will convert the received microwave energy into electricity.
However, the project faces technical challenges, primarily in achieving precise transmission due to the satellite's high speed and the need for strategic placement of ground-based receiving antennas.
If successful, the OHISAMA project could revolutionize clean energy generation by providing power independent of Earth's weather conditions and darkness. The technology could pave the way for large-scale geostationary systems capable of generating up to 1 GW of energy, powering hundreds of thousands of homes.
The potential global impact of this innovation cannot be overstated, as it could lead to the widespread adoption of space-based solar power, enhancing global energy infrastructure and significantly contributing to global efforts in sustainable energy.
In the realm of environmental science and space-and-astronomy, the OHISAMA Project promises to leverage technology to transmit solar energy from space to Earth, revolutionizing renewable energy and possibly shaping the future of clean energy generation. If successful, this groundbreaking initiative could pave the way for large-scale solar power stations in space, providing a consistent power source not affected by weather conditions or darkness, thereby advancing the domain of technology and environmental-science significantly.
