Unlike on Earth, where solar energy collection is limited to daylight hours, researchers have long been exploring ideas and conducting experiments for satellites capable of transmitting unlimited clean energy to Earth via microwaves from the Moon. A new project is now taking shape, aiming to transmit solar energy to the Moon.
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A Solar Power Station orbiting above the Moon’s surface may become feasible in the future. Photo: ESA.
According to a recent announcement from the European Space Agency (ESA), a group of engineers at the Swiss company Astrostrom introduced detailed plans for the Moon-Earth Large Power Station (GE⊕-LPS). Inspired by the shape of a butterfly’s wings, the GE⊕-LPS consists of multiple V-shaped solar panels arranged in a spiral configuration covering an area of one square kilometer. Theoretically, such a size would allow the satellite station to transmit up to 23 megawatts (MW) of energy to a Moon base. One megawatt of electricity can power approximately 200 households during peak demand in Texas.
The engineering team’s research suggests that both the GE⊕-LPS and the V-shaped solar panels can be constructed using materials found on the lunar surface, such as iron pyrite. Although iron pyrite exists on Earth, its components also exist in the lunar regolith. Combining these components allows for synthetic production. With each light-absorbing crystal measuring approximately 1/400 millimeter, iron pyrite can serve as an outer coating reflecting light onto the solar panels.
The power station is designed for long-term habitation, located at the Lagrange point between Earth and the Moon, approximately 61,350 kilometers above the lunar surface. The Lagrange point is a position where the gravitational forces of Earth and the Moon cancel each other out, creating a stable point that requires minimal orbital adjustments.
Despite potential financial and logistical challenges, researchers believe that building and launching satellites from the lunar surface could be easier and more cost-effective than from Earth. In fact, the Astrostrom engineering team estimates that launching from the Moon would require adjusting orbital velocity less than five times compared to launching from Earth.
“Once projects like GE⊕-LPS demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing and assembling solar energy satellite components, we can scale up to create multiple solar energy satellites from lunar resources to better serve Earth,” said Sanjay Vijendran, Project Director of the ESA’s SOLARIS space solar energy research.