Japan is making strides in space-based solar power, aiming to transmit solar energy from orbit to Earth as early as next year.

This follows a similar achievement by U.S. engineers. The initiative signals progress towards a potential solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels amidst the urgent need to combat climate change.

At the International Conference on Energy from Space, Koichi Ijichi from Japan Space Systems outlined Japan’s plan to demonstrate a miniature space-based solar power plant.

The satellite, weighing around 180 kilograms, will transmit approximately 1 kilowatt of power from an altitude of 400 kilometers. While this demonstration is modest in scale, it represents a significant technological advancement.

The spacecraft will utilize a 22-square-foot onboard photovoltaic panel to charge a battery, which will then convert the accumulated energy into microwaves for transmission to Earth, Space.com reported.

Due to the spacecraft’s high speed, reaching about 17,400 mph, the receiving antenna on Earth will need to be spread out over a distance of approximately 25 miles to capture the transmitted energy effectively.

Although the transmission process will be brief, requiring only a few minutes, recharging the battery after depletion will take several days.

The project, named OHISAMA, is scheduled for launch in 2025. Ground-based tests have already demonstrated wireless power transmission, with further experiments planned from an aircraft in December, showcasing the technology’s potential.

Written by B.C. Begley