Moon-Powered Solar: Harnessing Clean Energy from Space

• ESA's SOLARIS project investigates the feasibility of space-based solar power to provide clean energy on Earth. Swiss Astrostrom designed the Greater Earth-Lunar Power Station with 23 megawatts of energy for lunar surface operations. Discover the project's findings and implications for terrestrial power alternatives with ESA's Discovery programme.

ESA's SOLARIS project is investigating the feasibility of space-based solar power for providing clean energy on Earth. Swiss Astrostrom company has designed a Greater Earth Lunar Power Station (GE⊕-LPS) to deliver megawatts of microwave power down to receivers on the lunar surface from a solar power satellite constructed mainly from lunar resources. The station would provide continuous 23 megawatts of energy for lunar surface operations and could serve as a gateway between Earth and Moon operations, potentially becoming a tourist destination. The study found that solar power satellites produced on the Moon would be cheaper than any comparable Earth-developed solar power satellite and that the electricity generated for Earth would also be cost-competitive with any terrestrial power alternative. The project is funded through ESA's Discovery programme and aims to prove the feasibility of Space-based Solar Power.

Is Space-Based Solar Power Feasible?

• Solar power satellites produced on the Moon could be cheaper than any comparable Earth-developed solar power satellite.
• The electricity generated from the lunar station for Earth would also be cost-competitive with any terrestrial power alternative.
• The Greater Earth Lunar Power Station (GE⊕-LPS) could deliver 23 megawatts of energy for lunar surface operations and serve as a gateway between Earth and Moon operations.
• The project is funded through the European Space Agency's Discovery programme to prove the feasibility of Space-based Solar Power.
• Swiss Astrostrom Company is designing the lunar power station, which would be constructed mainly from lunar resources.
• The project could also potentially become a tourist destination.
• ESA's SOLARIS project is investigating the feasibility of space-based solar power for providing clean energy on Earth.