Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

At China’s Xidian University space solar power station (SSPS) research is underway.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

China continues to investigate beaming space solar power to Earth, as well as putting in orbit an electricity-providing “charging station” for spacecraft.

In Xi’an City of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, the work is being led by Duan Baoyan from the Chinese Academy of Engineering at Xidian University. The project is tagged with the name “Zhu Ri” – which means “chasing the sun.”

This space solar power station (SSPS) research consists of a 75-meter-high (246-feet) iron tower with four giant spherical steel jars filled with solar panels suspended from its top. The structure is designed to test a full system that generates power in space and transmits it back to Earth to be converted and distributed for terrestrial use, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

Li Xun, a member of the Zhu Ri Project research team.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Concentrating solar panels inside the giant steel jars generate direct currents of electricity in much the same way as terrestrial solar power stations do. But converting that electricity so that it can be transmitted as microwaves back to receiving stations on the ground is the key step.

Passing the test

“First, it is a complete model of the whole system, a prototype for the SSPS. It proves the viability of the whole process from turning light into electricity, transforming electricity into microwaves, transmitting microwaves and turning microwaves into direct currents. It is the first such system in the world to have passed this test,” said Li Xun, a member of the Zhu Ri Project research team.

According to CCTV the researchers have finished testing the prototype here on Earth. Back on June 5 last year, it passed the examination of a committee of experts.

Duan Baoyan, lead space solar power station (SSPS) investigator.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Charging point in space

Beyond the idea of generating power for transmission back to Earth, said Duan, the SSPS could also act as a charging point for satellites and space craft already in orbit.

“Currently, all satellites have wide solar panels attached to them. But for low-earth orbit satellites, which frequently go through areas with no sunlight, what should we do when they do not have enough power? If we build a ‘space charging station’ or a ‘space energy net’ in orbit, satellites could come to it when they need power, leave after they are fully charged, and return if they need power afterward. The SSPS functions like charging points on Earth,” said Duan.