'A 0.6-mile behemoth': China is building a Three Gorges Dam in space
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Orbital Ambition
Chinese scientists plan to build a colossal 0.6-mile-wide solar power station in space, designed to beam energy back to Earth, likened to an orbital "Three Gorges Dam."
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Massive Impact
Lead scientist Long Lehao claims the energy collected annually could equal the total oil extracted globally, emphasizing the project’s groundbreaking potential.
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Microwave Energy
The station will transmit energy via microwaves from geostationary orbit, offering uninterrupted power, unlike ground-based solar stations hindered by weather and atmosphere.
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Heavy Launches
To construct the massive array, China’s Long March-9 reusable rockets will loft components into orbit, each with a lift capacity of 150 tons.
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Global Interest
China isn’t alone. The U.S., Japan’s JAXA, and the European Space Agency are exploring similar space-based solar power systems, with Japan launching a test satellite this year.
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Three Gorges
Dubbed the "Three Gorges Dam in space," this project mirrors the scale of Earth’s largest hydropower station, which generates 100 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
Scientific Leap
According to NASA, solar intensity in space is ten times stronger than on Earth, making orbital stations a more efficient solution to global energy demands.
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Dual Purpose
The Long March-9 rockets are pivotal not just for solar arrays but also for China’s lunar research base plans, aiming for completion by 2035.
Future Energy
If successful, space-based solar power could redefine global energy supply, providing a clean, continuous source of electricity while minimizing Earth’s resource exploitation.
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