UK trial demonstrates that space robots have the potential to construct solar farms in orbit.

      Remote-controlled robots may one day construct large solar farms in space, as indicated by a recent trial in the UK. British startup Space Solar conducted the experiment at the facilities of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) located on the University of Oxford’s Culham Campus, which supports various fusion research projects.

      The company utilized two remotely operated robotic arms to assemble a segment of the supporting structure for its upcoming solar power satellite, designed to transmit solar energy from space to Earth. Space Solar reported that the trial demonstrated the capability of robotics to assemble solar power satellites on a gigawatt scale.

      Sam Adlen, co-CEO of the startup, remarked that this demonstration paves the way for various infrastructure initiatives in space. “This is a significant achievement not just for our satellite design, but for the future of large-scale constructions in space, ranging from data centers to energy infrastructure,” he noted.

      As part of its efforts to create a functional fusion reactor, UKAEA is developing robots for extreme industrial settings, such as those required for maintaining future fusion power facilities. The trial suggests those same machines may also have potential applications in space.

      Professor Rob Buckingham, executive director of UKAEA, stated that building fusion reactors and structures in space present shared challenges, including remoteness, radiation, and extreme temperatures. The demonstration implies that fusion-resistant robotics could aid in automating the intricate process of constructing extensive solar farms in orbit.

      Is a solar revolution on the horizon in space? Space Solar intends to harness the Sun’s energy in space through massive satellites equipped with solar arrays measuring several kilometers in length and around 20 meters in width. These satellites would capture energy via microwaves and wirelessly transmit it to specialized receiver stations on Earth, which would convert the energy into electricity.

      By 2029, Space Solar aims to launch its first 30MW demonstrator system, which would be capable of powering roughly 1,000 homes. The startup's first gigawatt-scale solar space farm is projected for the early 2030s. The UK Space Agency has provided grant funding for the initial development of the startup's satellite.

      In theory, solar panels can gather significantly more energy in space than on Earth because they are not impeded by the atmosphere, meaning sunlight intensity is much higher. Additionally, they could deliver energy from orbit continuously, unaffected by terrestrial weather conditions.

      However, generating solar power in space presents numerous challenges. Presently, it is significantly more costly than ground-based solar systems—the initial development of a gigawatt-scale prototype may require €15 billion to €20 billion. Additionally, there are potential environmental concerns, as constructing a satellite of that magnitude could necessitate hundreds of rocket launches, contributing to atmospheric pollution.

      Nonetheless, the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, and various startups in the UK, US, China, and Japan are actively pursuing the realization of space-based solar energy.